Tony Collins R.I.P.
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 dg1937  08 Feb 21 6.31pm |
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Sad news that Tony Collins has died at the age of 94. Tony truly was a pioneer. As well as being the first black player at Palace (in 1957) he holds the same honour at Norwich City and Watford and probably at York City and Torquay United as well (both in the League when he played for them). He also made history as the first black manager of a Football League club (Rochdale), before going on the play prominent roles at Bristol City, Leeds United, Manchester United and England). I never saw him play (he left Palace in 1959 and my first game was in 1963) but I believe one or two of the older members of the forum may remember him. He made 61 appearances between 1957 and 1959 and scored 16 goals.
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| Willo Online South coast - west of Brighton. 08 Feb 21 6.40pm |
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Such sad news. My thoughts go out to all his family and friends at this sad time. RIP.
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 Annie Oakley South Croydon 08 Feb 21 6.53pm |
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Sorry to hear the news about Tony Collins. Just before my time. Thanks for all you did for us and condolences to his family.
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| Steve T Cumbria 09 Feb 21 12.11pm |
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I think I am right in saying that he played in the 9-2 demolition of Accrington Stanley. A useful left winger when a player with number 11 on his back signified where he would play
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| Putitout Oxford 09 Feb 21 12.34pm |
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Tony, was a part of getting Palace going forward after a few lean years , after the war. I remember seeing him in the period, not sure if he was in the side when we beat Accrington 9-2 , Johnny Byrne waltzing past half their team including the goal keeper to score has proved such a lasting memory of that game , to the cost of who was actually playing that day. What was true was that all those including Tony, wearing a Palace shirt at that time were part of a team far better than fourth division. R I P Toy Collins.
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| davidpercival Croydon 09 Feb 21 2.50pm |
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I did see Tony Collins play and have fond memories of him. He was a tricky left winger and, in one of the first away games I remember going to, he scored the only goal in a cup game at Margate. When he started playing for us I recall an old boy (probably about the age I am now) saying black players can never be any good because they couldn't get use to wearing boots in matches. It was such a strange thing to say that it came back to me after the sixty odd years that have intervened.
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ASCPFC  Pro-Cathedral/caravan park 09 Feb 21 3.04pm |
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RIP Tony.
Red and Blue Army! |
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| eagle in cornwall Made In Thornton Heath. 09 Feb 21 5.01pm |
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Sad news to read that Tony has died, he was a fantastic left winger giving us so much enjoyment during his spell with the Club.
........................Then along came Johnny Byrne! and the rest, as they say, is history..................... |
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| peterg Anerley 10 Feb 21 11.52am |
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I saw him play a number of times during his time with us from 1957 to 1959. I remember him as a tricky and versatile winger who was appreciated by the fans. There's a nice book about him, "Tony Collins - Football Master Spy" by Quentin Cope and Sarita Collins which was published by Book Guild Publishing in 2016. It has four good pages about his time at Palace. In their introduction the authors devote one paragraph to the nature and extent of racism at the time and it leaves you wanting far more about what Tony may have experienced. But overall the book is a lovely tribute to a man with an extraordinary back story which includes spending two years with the Royal Engineers in Italy during WW2. Edited by peterg (10 Feb 2021 11.58am)
The right place at the right time |
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| Johnny5bellies Shadoxhurst, Ashford, Kent 11 Feb 21 3.21pm |
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Just spoken to my Dad, Henry Collison, who used to play with Tony Collins at the Palace in the odd reserve & friendly game and on the training ground to let him know of his passing. He remembers him well, he said he always had time to pass on advice to younger players and said he was a very nice guy.
Been watching Palace too many years and they never cease to amaze me......................Come on lets sign someone good for a change!!!!!! |
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| JRW2 Dulwich 11 Feb 21 4.34pm |
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I saw him play quite a few times. Am I correct in thinking he was sometimes referred to as "Chopper". It seems a highly inappropriate nickname.
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| ex hibitionist Hastings 13 Feb 21 12.58pm |
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nice tribute to him on football focus with our Roy paying his respects
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