in September 2022 by 13-year-old Christopher Atherton, though Collins retains the record in England. Collins only made the one appearance for Blackpool, and in December 1981, he moved to Southampton, where Alan Ball was now playing. Southampton Collins spent his first three years at Southampton playing either for the Youth team or for the reserves, and did not make his first-team debut until 29 September 1984, when he played in a 1–1 draw with Queens Park Rangers. He continued to play regularly for the reserves, but being short (5 ft 6 in - 1.68 m) and lightweight (8 st 3 lb - 52.2 kg), he lacked the muscle to force himself into the first team. He made two further substitute appearances in the Football League in the 1984–85 season, as well as two appearances in League Cup matches, with his final appearance coming against Arsenal at Highbury on 19 November 1985. Whilst with the Saints, Collins was called up to join the Republic of Ireland squad for the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship held in the Soviet Union from August to September 1985. The Irish lost all three Round One matches, finishing bottom of their group. Portsmouth In May 1986, Collins moved to Portsmouth where Alan Ball was now manager. He made five league and four cup appearances during Portsmouth's 1986–87 promotion campaign before being loaned out, firstly to Exeter City in November 1987, where he made nine league appearances, and then to Gillingham in November 1988, where he made one appearance in the Football League Trophy. Colchester United Collins left Portsmouth in April 1989, moving on to Colchester United to be re-united with Alan Ball, who was then the assistant to Jock Wallace. Although Ball left Colchester in October 1989, Collins remained with the Layer Road club for three years, during which they were relegated to the Conference in 1990, before taking the Conference title, as well as winning the FA Trophy in 1992. Exeter City In July 1992, Collins was once again re-united with Ball when he returned to Exeter City. After eleven league appearances (plus four in various cup competitions), and a loan spell with Farnborough Town, Collins left Exeter in the summer of 1993 and dropped down to non-league football. Non-league football Collins returned to Devon where he spent the early part of the 1993–94 season with Crediton United, before moving to join Elmore in February