Holmes’ tribute to ‘leader’ Collins

LEE COLLINS has been remembered as a leader who helped Chris Wilder do his job.

Yeovil Town announced the death of their captain last week aged 32. His previous clubs included Northampton, where Wilder was the boss and his team-mates included Ricky Holmes. Collins made 86 appearances for the Cobblers and former Sheffield United midfielder Holmes said: “Everyone who played with him says, ‘What a great guy, a genuine guy.’

“Lee didn’t grab the headlines like strikers do, he just went about his business, but I’m sure he knew he was valued. We saw him as a leader.

“He made sure people did the right things day in day out and that really helps the manager.

“The manager didn’t have to come in the changing room as Lee was in there demanding everything from us.”

Holmes says Wilder got it wrong when he let Collins leave for Mansfield after making 75 Cobblers appearances.

He was released before the start of the 2015-16 season and Northampton went on win League Two.

Holmes said: “The gaffer didn’t get much wrong but Lee would have slotted in nicely.

“Maybe he wanted too much money.

“I definitely wouldn’t have got rid of him.”

Holmes, currently trying to keep Southend in the Football League, was “shell-shocked” by the news of his former team-mate’s death.

“I got a text saying, ‘Have you heard about ‘Collo?’” he said.

“I said, ‘What’s he done now?’

“I didn’t expect to read what I read.

“I was in disbelief. I’m shell-shocked. We’ve lost a great guy.”