Posted by big al on 26/5/2003, 10:44 pm and bang goes the sell-on fee with it Eastleigh snap up Collins The trainee teacher is joining the Southern League new boys from Nationwide Conference outfit Woking, who are about to turn professional. Eastleigh manager Paul Doswell said: "Chris is not disillusioned in any way with Woking. He enjoys playing in the Conference but he can't stay there because he wants a career in teaching and can't go full-time. "He's in the last year of a teaching degree in Fareham and has explained to Woking that, on the days they would want him training, he's going to be in a classroom. "Chris has got a good head on his shoulders and has decided he's going to be a teacher rather than a professional footballer, but he wants to keep playing as well." Collins, who signed for Woking from Dr Martens outfit Newport IoW last summer, started with Southampton's school of excellence at the age of nine. A cultured defender, he went on to sign YTS forms and then a two-year professional contract - and made one appearance for Stevenage Borough before joining the Islanders. The one stumbling block about the move to Eastleigh is the player's age. Because Collins is currently 23, Woking are entitled to a fee, but he turns 24 in September and the only reason he is leaving the Cards is because he cannot go full-time. Doswell, whose side have just won promotion to the DML Southern Division, said: "To start with, Woking were asking £25,000 for Chris, but we're not paying that for the sake of six weeks' football before he turns 24. "Chris himself believes he should be a free transfer and so do we. "If the worst comes to the worst, it will go to a tribunal. Woking will ask for £25,000 and we'll offer £5 and it will be down to the tribunal to decide what the outstanding six weeks are worth. "Woking are devastated to lose him and thought someone from a higher league might come in for him. "If we did get a fee for him at a later date, I've told their manager, Glenn Cockerill, that we will share it with Woking." Collins's capture comes hot on the heels of signing wide man Tyronne Bowers from Salisbury and midfielder/defender Danny Rofe from Newport IoW. Former Saints striker Nicky Banger has agreed an extension on his contract that will keep him at Ten Acres for a further season.
195.93.34.14
for eastliegh ..........
by Wendy Gee
FORMER Saints centre-back Chris Collins has become Eastleigh's third summer signing.
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