Tony Collins: Meet the scout who discovered Paul McGrath, Alan Shearer, Kevin Keegan and Lee Sharpe to name just a few
Phil Thomas talks about the man who was chief scout to legends Don Revie, Brian Clough and Sir Alex Ferguson
TONY COLLINS could feel the eyes watching him from all points of the road.
The North Star hotel was only 100 yards ahead — yet it seemed more like 100 miles.
He could have run there in seconds, but was not sure if his shaking legs would carry him.
Instead, he chose discretion over valour. Staring ahead, no eye contact, until — after what seemed hours — he threw open the doors into the bright lights of a Dublin shindig in full swing.
And an immediate greeting from comedian Frank Carson: “Hello there, don’t you just love the Irish!”
As far as scouting missions go, this one was taking it to the limit.
Freezing cold, rainy nights were hardly out of the ordinary.
But taking your life into your hands to give a second opinion on a youngster was another thing entirely.
As it happened, this one was certainly worth the hassle, because Collins returned to England to tell Manchester United boss Ron Atkinson: “That Paul McGrath — you’ve got to sign him.”
What a recommendation that was, too, as McGrath went on to become one of United and Aston Villa’s all-time greats.
Not bad for a kid who was playing in front of a handful of people at St Patrick’s Athletic at the time. Collins was Atkinson’s master spy. The man whose word he trusted above all others.
But that Irish trip still brings a shiver when Collins recalls how the taxi driver would not take him to the bottom of the street, as “something was going down” at the height of the Troubles.
Collins — now 90 but still as sharp as a tack — revealed: “Our Irish scout Billy Behan had recommended this lad but when I got to Dublin I couldn’t get a taxi anywhere.
“Eventually, one dropped me about 100 yards from the hotel, saying, ‘This is as far as I dare go.’
“There were a few groups hanging around watching me. I thought, ‘Should I make a break for it’ but wasn’t sure my legs would hold up!
It was nerve-wracking but certainly worth it because Paul was such a great player — the best I ever recommended.”
He recommended plenty as well. From telling Bristol City about a young Scunthorpe star called Kevin Keegan, to a Southampton striker — Alan Shearer — tearing Rochdale’s reserves to shreds.
Collins has lived every aspect of the game, from his playing days with eight clubs including Watford and Crystal Palace, to becoming English football’s first black manager and leading Rochdale to the inaugural League Cup final.
RELATED STORIES
Plus working as chief scout for legends such as Don Revie, Brian Clough, Ron Atkinson and Sir Alex Ferguson.
And he certainly has some amazing tales of travelling the country hunting new talent.
Collins said: “I was at one Fourth Division game between Oldham and Scunthorpe — and was sure I spotted a star of the future.
“He was a slip of a lad, Scunthorpe wanted £25,000. But that was all City had to bring in two or three players, we couldn’t risk blowing the lot on one.
“It was something I always regretted, because Keegan eventually ended up going to Liverpool.
“Another one who jumped out at me was on a wet, miserable night at Rochdale. This young striker for Southampton reserves, Alan Shearer, looked really special.
“He was the best I’d seen since Tommy Lawton. I recommended him to United — but nothing came of it.”
One who did come off was a young Torquay winger called Lee Sharpe.
Tony, Fergie and assistant Archie Knox made a trip south to watch him play.
Collins revealed: “We had to sneak around the back of the stand so we didn’t get spotted, this young left winger was fantastic.
“Cyril Knowles was the manager, who had Tottenham links, so we had to move quickly and we signed him there and then — the same night.”
These days Collins lives in a care home in New Moston, just outside Manchester, and loves nothing better than reminiscing about those old days.
If you get the chance, try to arrange to pop in for a coffee and a chat.
It will be one of the most fascinating afternoons you ever spend.
- TONY COLLINS: FOOTBALL MASTER SPY. Published by bookguild. Available now £9.99