Bobby Collins

Everton Giant - Year Inducted: 2014

Inside-right Bobby Collins became an instant Goodison Park hero in his relatively short stay on Merseyside.

‘The Little General’, as he was aptly nicknamed, stood at just 5ft 4in tall, but was the ultimate leader on the pitch – tough in the tackle, with a superb passing range and also the propensity to urge his teammates on.

Collins also had an eye for goal, netting 48 times in his 147 appearances with the Blues.

Everton had been through a tough spell before the arrival of the Scot, but his move proved to kickstart the side as they went from relegation candidates to title challengers in his first four full seasons.

To the surprise of most, he was allowed to leave Goodison in March 1962 for Leeds United and, despite the trophies that followed for Everton, there was an overwhelming feeling it was a premature exit.

Collins again helped to transform a struggling Leeds side – taking the Yorkshire outfit from an average Second Division side to First Division title challengers and he was voted PFA Player of the Year in 1965.

Following his passing in 2014, Collins was named an Everton Giant at the Club’s ninth End of Season Awards.