Behind Enemy Lines. Despatches from Collins

[Kenilworth]

Great article written by Neill Collins about the Derby.

http://neillcollins.com/behind-enemy-lines/

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Absolutely brilliant. I hope his reputation on here begins to pick up again. This is certainly a great rallying call.

 

[BarlboroughBlade]

made my tummy tickle

 

[Geordie Blade]

Top lad - well written. He certainly won me over on his debut.

 

[whitehouse79]

top lad once a blade always a blade

 

[John Street West Terrace]

Great read & insight from players perspectives

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

Probably the best insight into the Sheffield Derby I've ever read.

Well done young man ( as Geoff Boycott would say )

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

A thousand likes Mr Collins

 

[ZoneManWilf]

"I will never forget arriving at the old dilapidated but historic ground"

Nice one Neil *chortle*

 

[Boxer Blade]

I am slightly pissed and ready for some kip but that was fuckin brilliant, when he comes back to the Lane expect a brilliant response, well put together and an interesting read, collo the blade I salute you

 

[ScottBlade]

Never questioned his commitment to the cause, just like Doyle both cared but they just weren't good enough at the end of the day. Not their fault. Glad he still looks back on his time here with fondness though after the way he was unfairly treated by Clough. Wish him well. Once a blade.....

 

[NZ Blade in Nelson]

Loved this quote too

The sides would have met earlier a few years ago in an FA Cup quarter-final, but the team from the dark side of Sheffield bottled it and lost in a replay to Charlton; robbing us off a chance to face off in front of a national audience, with the prize a trip to Wembley.

That was a great read and just shows what playing for us meant to him.

 

[SwissBlade]

Great article written by Neill Collins about the Derby.

http://neillcollins.com/behind-enemy-lines/

Can't read anything from him. Did he say he was a victim or that he was a good player.

 

[Jehovah]

Anyone else think his leap in that pic is superhuman?

 

[Houston_Blade]

If Monty wrote a blog would all the Monty haters forgive him? As much as I think Collins writes a good blog it doesn't paper over the cracks of some shoddy defensive work in his time here, although he did cry in an interview so all is forgotten. I do remember turning up at the Sty for that game though and thinking "I hope this Collins is decent", he had a good game from memory.

 

[SwissBlade]

If Monty wrote a blog would all the Monty haters forgive him? As much as I think Collins writes a good blog it doesn't paper over the cracks of some shoddy defensive work in his time here, although he did cry in an interview so all is forgotten. I do remember turning up at the Sty for that game though and thinking "I hope this Collins is decent", he had a good game from memory.

Must've been the only one then as I remember him finishing his loan and thinking "thank fuck he's gone, at least we'll never sign that useless fuck". We did

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Useless centre half from one of our lowest periods in history.

Good to see he’s found something useful to do with his time rather than masquerade as a centre half.

 

[Jehovah]

Anyone else think his leap in that pic is superhuman?

 

[Razor1967]

Useless centre half from one of our lowest periods in history.

Good to see he’s found something useful to do with his time rather than masquerade as a centre half.

Have some respect, he gave his all!

 

[LenTednTony]

What a brilliant piece of penmanship! Neil Collins certainly puts across what it must be like to play in the only Derby that matters in England. I had the hairs on my neck standing up and could feel his slightly lost, and yet ferocious, excitement. Really good read and his comments show his affection for all things United.

 

[dazzlingblade]

fuck me even on a thread about someone who played for us several years ago, that is about the passion and feelings of the derby, some people still manage to turn it into a dig about his performances in our shirt, pat yourselves on the back, you have outdone yourselves on the negativity front

 

[Kenilworth]

A thousand likes Mr Collins

I've taken to indulging in a tipple of Rum now and again. Non-spiced for now. Enjoying it

 

[super_pig]

If Monty wrote a blog would all the Monty haters forgive him? As much as I think Collins writes a good blog it doesn't paper over the cracks of some shoddy defensive work in his time here, although he did cry in an interview so all is forgotten. I do remember turning up at the Sty for that game though and thinking "I hope this Collins is decent", he had a good game from memory.

yep

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I particularly liked the mention of the Akinbiyi greeting to him on the bus the morning of the game, given how new to the club he was.

I was feeling as you would expect after three days in the hospital, but was quickly jolted out of any lethargy as I boarded the bus. My new mates were all arriving and I was greeted by the formidable figure of Ade Akinbiyi, who shook my hand and asked if I was ready. I nonchalantly replied ‘yes’ before he gripped my hand tighter, gave me the death stare and repeated “ARE YOU READY?” It was his way of making sure I knew this was for real. Do or die. They didn’t want a young lad coming in on loan and screwing it up for them. If I wasn’t quite ready before, I certainly was now. I didn’t want to let this guy down.

 

[Kenilworth]

I particularly liked the mention of the Akinbiyi greeting to him on the bus the morning of the game, given how new to the club he was.

I was feeling as you would expect after three days in the hospital, but was quickly jolted out of any lethargy as I boarded the bus. My new mates were all arriving and I was greeted by the formidable figure of Ade Akinbiyi, who shook my hand and asked if I was ready. I nonchalantly replied ‘yes’ before he gripped my hand tighter, gave me the death stare and repeated “ARE YOU READY?” It was his way of making sure I knew this was for real. Do or die. They didn’t want a young lad coming in on loan and screwing it up for them. If I wasn’t quite ready before, I certainly was now. I didn’t want to let this guy down.

Akinbiyi was certainly ready.
Scored an absolute belter.


Tonge's goal weren't too shabby either.

Reyt in front of the squeelers

 

[SHOREHAMST.com]

Can't read anything from him. Did he say he was a victim or that he was a good player.

Maybe his next ramblings will be about not helping young academy lads through tough spells and instead just blaming them for everything. Even his own mistakes.

 

[SwissBlade]

Maybe his next ramblings will be about not helping young academy lads through tough spells and instead just blaming them for everything. Even his own mistakes.

Sounds like a winner!

 

[grafikhaus]

fuck me even on a thread about someone who played for us several years ago, that is about the passion and feelings of the derby, some people still manage to turn it into a dig about his performances in our shirt, pat yourselves on the back, you have outdone yourselves on the negativity front

Spot on. Did Bob Booker never have a bad game? Morgan? The fact that Collins, Booker and many other ex-players still follow us shows the special 'bond' that exists at SUFC. Will Jordan fucking Rhodes, Hooper or Fletcher still give a fuck about Wendy in two years time? No.

 

[Kenilworth]

Here's another one who is a natural for the media and will look back on his time here with great affection when he finally retires.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05gr610

 

[anglian blade]

fuck me even on a thread about someone who played for us several years ago, that is about the passion and feelings of the derby, some people still manage to turn it into a dig about his performances in our shirt, pat yourselves on the back, you have outdone yourselves on the negativity front

There are some people who believe being nasty on the internet is clever when the rest of us think it makes them dickheads.