Jimmy Collins

Who was Jimmy Collins?

James Frederick Arthur Collins was an English footballer who played for West Ham United.

Collins, nicknamed "Lottie" after a music hall artiste of the era, made his first appearance at Upton Park as captain of East Ham Boys in 1917. He was called up to play for England Schools but missed out on a cap after the game, against Scotland, was cancelled.

Playing as a forward, Collins featured for Chelmsford, Clapton and Leyton before signing amateur forms with West Ham in 1921. He made his professional debut two years later, against Spurs on 9 February 1924.

Finding opportunities limited up front, Collins switched to wing half to gain regular football, where he once managed 160 consecutive appearances before a cartilage injury ended the run.

Collins was one of the few professional players to be retained after West Ham's relegation in 1932, and appeared in the FA Cup Semi-final defeat against Everton the following season.

In all, Collins made 336 appearances for West Ham, scoring three goals. He retired from football in 1936.

Collins also owned and trained greyhounds, and his 'Golden Hammer' finished second in the 1931 English Greyhound Derby.