Gary Collier (footballer)

Summary

Gary Bernard Collier (born 4 February 1955) is an English former professional footballer who played as a central defender. Active in both England and the United States, Collier made over 500 career league appearances.

Gary Collier
Personal information
Full name Gary Bernard Collier[1]
Date of birth (1955-02-04) 4 February 1955 (age 69)
Place of birth Bristol, England
Position(s) Central defender
Youth career
Bristol City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1972–1979 Bristol City 193 (3)
1979–1980 Coventry City 2 (0)
1980–1982 Portland Timbers 83 (0)
1980–1982 Portland Timbers (indoor) 18 (2)
1982–1987 San Diego Sockers (indoor) 122 (6)
1983–1984 San Diego Sockers 51 (0)
1987 Kansas City Comets (indoor) 25 (0)
1987–1988 Chicago Sting (indoor) 52 (4)
1990 San Diego Nomads ? (?)
Total 546 (15)
Managerial career
1990 San Diego Nomads
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career edit

Born in Bristol, Collier played in the Football League for Bristol City and Coventry City between 1972 and 1980, making a total of 195 league appearances. In 1980, Collier moved to the United States, to play for the Portland Timbers in the North American Soccer League. In 1982, the Timbers collapsed and Collier moved as a free agent to the San Diego Sockers for the 1982-1983 Major Indoor Soccer League season. He would play two outdoor and four indoor seasons for the Sockers. In February 1987, the Sockers sold Collier's contract to the Kansas City Comets for $5,000.[2] The Comets released him at the end of the season and he signed as a free agent with the Chicago Sting. The Sting released Collier in June 1988, just before the team collapsed.[3] In 1990, he replaced Derek Armstrong as head coach of the San Diego Nomads in the American Professional Soccer League.[4] In addition to coaching, Collier also played on the Nomads' backline that year.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ "Gary Collier". Barry Hugman's Footballers.
  2. ^ Sockers deal Collier to Comets Evening Tribune (San Diego, CA) - Thursday, 12 February 1987
  3. ^ ELEVEN PLAYERS RELEASED BY STING Akron Beacon Journal (OH) - Thursday, 2 June 1988
  4. ^ Nomads open up with rematch Evening Tribune (San Diego, CA) - Friday, 6 April 1990
  5. ^ 1990 San Diego Nomads

External links edit

  • Gary Collier at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
  • NASL/MISL career stats