New road to be named after Leeds legend Bobby Collins

The idea of honouring the Leeds United great’s life and achievements has been under consideration for a number of months.

Now the council has confirmed that a road within the recently-opened park-and-ride site near United’s Elland Road ground will be known as Bobby Collins Way.

A formal sign-unveiling ceremony is due to take place in the near future.

Coun Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive board member with responsibility for transport and the economy, said: “We are very pleased to be able to announce officially that we will be naming the Elland Road park-and-ride access road after the late, great Bobby Collins.

“With the park-and-ride being based at Elland Road it seems only right that we named the road after such a legendary player.”

Coun Lewis said that discussions had been held about the tribute with the Collins family as well as United and supporters of the club.

Collins died in January this year at the age of 82 after a battle with illness.

A midfielder, he joined Leeds from Everton in 1962 and went on to make 167 appearances in five years, scoring 26 goals.

He was manager Don Revie’s on-field leader as United began their climb from Second Division obscurity to the peak of the European game.

He also had a successful spell as a player with Celtic and managed Huddersfield Town, Hull City and Barnsley.

Collins remained in Leeds after his retirement, spending some time coaching at schools in Hunslet.

The Scot’s funeral at Leeds Minster was attended by hundreds of mourners.

Collins will not be the first United hero to have a street named in his honour.

Revie Road and John Charles Way can already be found on the city’s map, situated close to Elland Road.