Famous Players – The 2010’s

Lee Collins

Telford born defender Lee Collins joined the Vale on loan from Wolves at the start of the 2008-09 season and immediately became a first-team regular. Vale then signed him on a permanent deal in January 2009 after Wolves agreed to release him from his contract. The 42 appearances he made for the Vale in his first season with the club made him one of the most consistent performers of that campaign.

He remained in the first team for the start of the 2009-10 season and was recognised as a key member of the defence capable of playing in either a central position or as a left back. His solid performances attracted attention and rumours spread of a £200,000 move to Watford but this did not materialise.  Initially considered as a prime candidate for Player of the Year he instead picked up Chairman’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards, as well as the award for best assist of the season.

Anticipating interest from other clubs at the start of the 2010-11 season manager Micky Adams agreed an extension of an extra season to Lee’s contract.  Lee accepted the deal by praising the coaching staff for helping his progress as a player. His consistency over the 48 appearances he made that season helped Vale to boast one of the strongest defensive records in the division.

Lee missed a significant number of games through injury at the start of  the 2011-12 season and shortly after he returned to full fitness in January 2012 he was sold to Barnsley for a £50,000 fee.  He subsequently played for Northampton, Mansfield, Forest Green and Yeovil amassing 470 appearances in total.

Lee was named as Port Vale’s best left-back of the 2010s in a public poll taken in January 2020 by The Sentinel newspaper. He received 50% of the vote, just ahead of Carl Dickinson on 40%.

Lee was tragically found dead in in hotel room near Yeovil in March 2021. The inquest into his death reached the conclusion that he had committed suicide.