TRIBUTES TO BOBBY

TRIBUTES TO BOBBY

Former team-mates pay tribute to Bobby Collins...

Tributes have been pouring in since we announced the sad passing of our former captain Bobby Collins on Monday.

Bobby, 82, who passed away after illness, was an instrumental figure in the club’s rise under Don Revie, and the Scotland international was held in high esteem by those who knew him and remember him.

Eddie Gray described him as “probably the most influential player in the history of Leeds United” while Peter Lorimer recently described Bobby as the one player from years past that he would like to see in today’s team.

Paul Reaney was another of Bobby’s team-mates at Elland Road and he said: “He was one of the greats, along with John and Billy.

“He was a fantastic help throughout my career. When I got into the side, Bobby was there with big Jack, and they looked after me, and taught me so much. He will be a sad loss.”

Johnny Giles was another of the Revie greats and he said: “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.”

The club’s elite professional development coach Neil Redfearn remembers his dad watching Bobby from the Elland Road terraces between 1962 and 1967.

“He epitomised everything that was good in the game,” said Neil. “He loved tackling and battling. You wouldn’t have thought he was five foot something - because of the way he played and tackled you would have thought he was seven foot.

“I met him a few times in later years when he came and watched when I was at Barnsley and I remember his infectiousness.”

The club's current Scotland international Ross McCormack said: "Sad to hear about fellow Scot Bobby Collins. He must have been some player for Leeds in his time. RIP."

Bobby’s first professional club Celtic also paid tribute to him on Monday evening with a website statement which read: “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.”

The club will be paying tribute to Bobby at Saturday's game against Leicester City.

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