WELCOME, NEILL COLLINS!

Welcome Neill Collins: A New Era Begins

Raith Rovers Football Club is thrilled to announce the appointment of Neill Collins as our new manager, who has today signed a three-year contract.

Collins commented, “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Raith Rovers as First Team Manager. The excellent work that is taking place throughout the club blew me away and I am eager to contribute towards the continued growth and success of the team. The challenge to get this club back to the top flight of Scottish football is big but one we will work tirelessly together to achieve. I can’t wait to get started.“

He has a strong understanding of both the playing and coaching sides of the game, bringing a wealth of experience, passion, and a proven track record of success to Stark’s Park.

As a player, Collins started in Scotland at Queen’s Park and then Dumbarton, before deciding to move down south to continue his career.

He played for a number of clubs in England, winning the Football League Championship at both Sunderland and Wolves, as well as successful stints at Sheffield United and Leeds.

Collins racked up over 500 appearances in his time as a player, finishing his career at the Tampa Bay Rowdies, where he then made the step up to coaching.

From attending games and playing football from a young age, Collins’ journey to becoming a manger began early on, shaped heavily by the influence of his father.

He balanced his academic pursuits at university with part-time football, always with an eye on his ultimate goal – a full-time career in football.

It was then that Collins began laying the groundwork for his future as a coach, earning his badges early on.

he soon recognised his passion for developing talent and enhancing teams.

His experiences coaching high school ‘soccer’ in Tampa played a crucial role in shaping his coaching philosophy, and he soon realised his passion for developing talent and enhancing teams.

His managerial career really took off when he was appointed Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2018.

Over six seasons, he transformed the Rowdies into one of the most formidable teams in the USL Championship, leading them to 98 wins across all competitions and securing four straight play-off appearances.

His tactical intelligence combined with his ability to inspire and develop players earned him the USL Championship Coach of the Year award in 2021.

After his successful stint with the Rowdies establishing a hard-working, energetic and physically dominant team, he then moved to Barnsley in England’s League One in July 2023.

There, his leadership and strategic approach saw him guide the team with a steady hand, further solidifying his reputation as a capable and ambitious manager.

CEO Andrew Barrowman added, “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Neill Collins as our new manager. This appointment marks the culmination of a thorough and considered recruitment process, one that reflects our commitment to ensuring the long-term success and stability of your football club.

From the outset, we were determined to take our time to identify the right individual who could lead us on and off the pitch. We recognised this decision would shape the future of our club, and as such, it was imperative that we conducted a meticulous search, leaving no stone unturned.

Throughout this process, Neill Collins consistently impressed us with his vision, his understanding of the game, and his passion for developing people. His track record speaks for itself, but it was his dedication and desire to build something special at Raith Rovers that truly set him apart.

It’s worth noting that Neill was our top choice from very early in the process, and while we initially faced challenges in securing his services, we were determined not to give up. We believed and continue to believe that everything happens for a reason. The setbacks we encountered only strengthened our resolve, and we are thrilled that our persistence has paid off.

Neill’s commitment to the club is inspiring, and we are confident that his leadership will guide Raith Rovers to new heights. We are excited for what the future holds and look forward to seeing the impact he will have on the team.

We would like to extend our warmest welcome to Neill, and we encourage all our supporters to join us in supporting him and the squad as we embark on this exciting new chapter.“

Welcome to Raith Rovers, Neill Collins, we all can’t wait to get started.

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