Danny Collins is a professional footballer born on August 6, 1980 in Chester, England. He plays as a defender in the central-back and left-back position.
Danny Collins has won six caps for the England C team and was selected for the Wales national team in 2005, and in February, he made his debut as a substitute for David Partridge in the winning match against Hungary. As of June 2008, he has represented the Wales national team six games.
Danny Collins kicked-started his football career as a youth player at Chester City in 1996. Later, he went on to play for the local Welsh football clubs, Mold Alexandra and Buckley Town. Following trials with Wrexham and Tranmere Rovers, he moved on to the senior team of Chester City in December 2001 and made his debut in a match versus Northwich Victoria. Mark Wright, the former manager of Chester City, shifted his position of play from the midfield to defense. Danny Collins started to excel as a defender after a successful stint on loan with Vauxhall Motors during 2002-03 season. He played a crucial role for the Vauxhalls by eliminating Queens Park Rangers from the Football Association (FA) Cup in November 2002. The following season, his team clinched the Nationwide Conference title and made it to the Football League, a feat achieved after four years. Danny Collins gave impressive performances for the club and was instrumental for giving the club its first win of the 2004-05 season, when he kicked an excellent stoppage time goal against Macclesfield Town on September 4, 2004. He made 71 appearances for Chester, contributing four goals during his tenure.
Danny Collins signed for Sunderland in the end of 2004 and made his debut against Rotherham. In his first season for the club, he made 14 appearances and in the start of the 2005-06 season, he became the first choice defender for Sunderland. Danny Collins was a member of the team that lifted the Football League Championship twice (in the 2004-05 and 2006-07 seasons). He scored a goal for the club on April 5, 2008 in its win over Fulham F.C. at Craven Cottage and won the 2008 Sunderland Player of the Year award for his brilliant performances in the Premiership for Sunderland. Danny Collins has represented the club in 111 games netting three goals as of June 2008.
Danny Collins was the recipient of the Supporters Association Player of the Year award for representing Sunderland in the most number of matches (36) and for playing consistently under Roy Keane, the manager of Sunderland.
