AARON’S A MACCY BOY

FOOTBALLERS are used to tough upbringings but not many work at McDonald’s to boost their income.

That’s what Bolton striker Aaron Collins (inset) did when Newport did not offer him a contract at 16.

He juggled training and playing with working the tills at McDonald’s before then Newport boss Justin Edinburgh handed him professional terms.

Collins jokes he needed to pay for petrol for his moped but he showed a desire which has carried him to today’s League One play-off final against Oxford at Wembley.

“I had to bring money in somehow,” said the Welshman.

“I had a moped at the time and I had to pay petrol, otherwise I couldn’t get to training.

“So I went out and got a job at McDonald’s, I was working there for three months.

“I was going in and training with the scholars and I remember when they had a game the next day, it was a Friday. “I had a six-hour shift starting at 4.30pm and after an hour’s training I had to say to the manager I had to go.

“I was still one of the best and the coach pushed me towards the first team.

“Justin Edinburgh gave me a professional contract and I was able to quit McDonald’s.”

Collins, 26, took in the likes of Maidstone and Morecambe before he really took off at Bristol Rovers three years ago.

He starred as they beat Scunthorpe 7-0 in 2022 to pip Northampton to automatic promotion to League One on goals scored.

Collins added: “If we do it against Oxford at Wembley, it’s probably going to be as sweet.”

He became Bolton’s biggest signing since Jay Spearing in 2013 when Wanderers paid Rovers £750,000 for him in February and has repaid them with nine goals in his last 14 games.

His stunner against Reading was voted April’s League One Goal of the Month.