Leeds United greats mourn as Bobby Collins dies at 82

Ex Leeds United players - from left: Trevor Cherry, Eddie Gray, Mick Bates, Paul Reaney, Allan Clarke and Bobby Collins

Collins, a pivotal figure in the early years of the Don Revie revolution at United, passed away yesterday afternoon following a battle with illness.

Fellow Revie era hero Eddie Gray last night led the praise for a man who once said his transfer to Leeds was the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Gray said: “In my opinion Bobby Collins was probably the most influential player in the history of Leeds United.

“He will be sadly missed by all who knew him and played with him.”

Another Revie legend, Johnny Giles, told the Yorkshire Post: “It’s very sad news on a personal level.

“On a professional level, Bobby was the crucial signing for Don at the time.

“First of all for his ability, but also because of his will to win and the example he set the younger players.”

Midfield dynamo Collins joined Leeds from Everton in 1962 and went on to make 167 appearances in five years for the Whites, scoring 26 goals.

The diminutive Scot was Revie’s on-field leader as they began their transformation from Second Division also-rans to a European soccer superpower.

He was voted Footballer of the Year in 1965 and in the same season captained United in their first FA Cup final.

Glasgow-born Collins stayed in Leeds after his retirement, spending some time coaching at schools in Hunslet.

In an interview just before his 65th birthday, he described his move to United as “the best thing that ever happened to me”.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2002. Speaking in 2008, his wife, Betty, said: “One thing [he] hasn’t lost is his football skill. If you kick a ball towards him he can still do a lovely little backheel.

“He also enjoys table tennis – he carries on playing when the rest of us are tired out, which is nice.”

Capped 31 times for Scotland, Collins’s playing career also included a long and distinguished spell with Celtic.

A tribute posted on the Scottish club’s official website last night said: “Bobby Collins was a true Celtic legend and one of Scotland’s all-time great players.

“His contribution to the success of both Celtic and Leeds United is testament to that.”

Bury, Greenock Morton and Oldham Athletic were among the other clubs on Collins’ playing CV.

After moving into management, he had stints in charge at Huddersfield Town, Hull City and Barnsley.