Collins John

Dutch footballer

Not to be confused with John Collins (footballer, born 1968).

Collins John

John with Riverhounds, 2014

Personal information
Full name|  Collins John
Date of birth|  (1985-10-17) 17 October 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth|  Zwedru, Liberia
Height|  5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Position(s)|  Striker
Youth career
0000–2002|  DES Nijverdal
2002–2004|  Twente
Senior career*
Years|  Team|  Apps|  (Gls)
2002–2004|  Twente|  35|  (11)
2004–2009|  Fulham|  95|  (20)
2007–2008|  → Leicester City (loan)|  11|  (2)
2008|  → Watford (loan)|  5|  (0)
2008–2009|  → N.E.C. (loan)|  5|  (0)
2009–2010|  Roeselare|  11|  (0)
2010|  Chicago Fire|  17|  (3)
2011|  Gabala|  3|  (0)
2011–2012|  Mes Sarcheshmeh|  4|  (0)
2012–2013|  Barnet|  1|  (0)
2013|  Piast Gliwice|  2|  (0)
2013|  Piast Gliwice II|  3|  (1)
2014|  Pittsburgh Riverhounds|  12|  (4)
2019–2022|  Buitenboys|  5|  (0)
Total|  |  209|  (41)
International career
2001|  Netherlands U16|  2|  (1)
2004–2006|  Netherlands U21|  9|  (4)
2004|  Netherlands|  2|  (0)

Medal record

Men's football
Representing  Netherlands
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Winner | 2006 Portugal |

*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Collins John (born 17 October 1985) is a former professional footballer who played as a striker. Born in Liberia, he represented the Netherlands national team.

John notably played in the Premier League for Fulham where he notched up 23 goals in 111 appearances, in all competitions, in a five-year stay at Craven Cottage. He also played in the English football league for Leicester City, Watford, and Barnet, in the Eredivisie for FC Twente and NEC Nijmegen, in Belgium for K.S.V. Roeselare, the United States for Chicago Fire, Azerbaijan for Gabala FC and in Iran for Mes Sarcheshmeh F.C.

## Career

[edit]

### Club

[edit]

John started his professional career at Dutch first division side FC Twente as a 17-year-old, going on to score 11 league goals during one and a half seasons combined. He was signed by Fulham on 31 January 2004, cited by manager Chris Coleman as a way to expand attacking options in the future.[1] He signed for a fee thought to be in the region of £600,000 where he was introduced at Loftus Road by John Collins, his reverse namesake. His debut for the club came as a substitute for Mark Pembridge against Chelsea in a 2–1 defeat at Stamford Bridge on 20 March.[2] He then scored two goals in each of his next two games against Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers.[3][4]

Following an auspicious start, John scored 11 league goals in 2005–06, despite only starting 15 of the 37 in which he appeared. With a further two goals in other competitions, he was Fulham's top goalscorer that season. A goal against Middlesbrough on 20 November 2005, a volley from his weaker foot, was later to be named "Goal of the Month" by the BBC, and was in the running for "Goal of the Season".[5][6]

John started six of the first seven Premiership games of 2006–07, but then lost his place and started only three more times in 2006. Coming on as a second-half substitute, and having had two goals disallowed earlier in the match, he scored his twentieth league goal at Manchester City, in November 2006.

John signed for Leicester City on 23 October 2007 on a three-month loan deal.[7] He made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Sheffield United a few hours later,[8] and scored his first league goal in a 2–0 win over Barnsley on 27 October.[9]

John scored his last goal against Colchester United six days later, in a 1–1 away draw.[10] He returned to Fulham after making a total of eleven league appearances for Leicester.

On 25 January 2008, John joined Watford on a loan deal until the end of the 2007–08 season, with the option of a permanent move after that. He struggled with his fitness during his time at the club, making only three starts and two substitute appearances. In April 2008 he returned to Fulham after tearing a thigh muscle.

On the 2008 transfer deadline day, John moved to NEC Nijmegen on a one-year loan deal, with the Dutch side also obtaining a transfer option.[11] In Nijmegen John suffered with continual problems. Although he was important as a substitute in two UEFA Cup matches, he failed to make an impression in the Dutch league. In January 2009 he went on trial at Charlton Athletic but wasn't offered a contract. Back in Nijmegen he was suspended to the reserve squad by manager Mario Been. On 3 March John returned to Fulham after both NEC and John didn't see any reason for continuing the loan. In March, John requested to train with Dutch side Heracles Almelo, alongside his brother Paddy, till the end of the 2008–09 season. The request was denied because John had no intention to play for Heracles in the next season.

He chose to sign for Belgian Pro League side Roeselare signing a 2-year contract.[12] On 3 December, John was suspended and demoted to the reserve squad for disciplinary reasons by manager Dennis van Wijk. On 14 December Roeselare terminated John's contract.[13]

John joined Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire during their pre-season training camp on 29 January 2010 with a view to signing before the start of the 2010 MLS season.[14] On 11 March 2010, Chicago Fire hired him on a free transfer.[15] After a disappointing season in MLS, John was released by Chicago on 24 November 2010.[16]

John joined Gabala FC in Azerbaijan on 25 January 2011.[17] After failing to revive his career in Azerbaijan, John handed in a transfer request. John went on trial with Nottingham Forest and flew to Portugal with them for a pre-season break.

He signed a one-year contract with Iran Pro League side Mes Sarcheshmeh on 20 December 2011.[18] In the summer of 2012, John agreed to sign for Gençlik Gücü S.K. in Northern Cyprus, but the transfer fell through. On 22 September 2012, John joined League Two side Barnet. [19] On 12 October 2012 John was joined at the club by fellow former Dutch international Edgar Davids. John made his debut against Plymouth Argyle, but was substituted after just 15 minutes due to a thigh injury.[20] He also played in the FA Cup against Oxford United,[21] but he was to make only two appearances for the club, and after a string of injuries, had his contract terminated by mutual consent in January 2013.[22]

On 25 June 2013 John joined Eredivisie side Go Ahead Eagles on trial.[23] After failing to win a contract with Go Ahead Eagles, John held talks with Polish Ekstraklasa side Piast Gliwice,[24] and later claimed on Twitter that he had signed a two-year deal,[25] but in fact was only training with the club until he had proven his fitness. He eventually made his debut in the Ekstraklasa on 1 September against Śląsk Wrocław as an 82nd-minute substitute.

In March 2014 it was announced the John had signed for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Pro, the third division of the United States soccer pyramid.[26] John debuted for the club in their second matchday of the season against the Richmond Kickers on 5 April 2014. After coming on as a 65th-minute substitute for Jason Johnson,[27] John scored his first goal for the club in his debut, the Riverhounds' only goal in the 1–3 defeat.[28] In the Riverhounds' next match, John scored again during his first game at Highmark Stadium against Wilmington Hammerheads FC, for a total of two goals in two matches.[29] Following that match, John was suspended for three matches for "violent conduct".[30] After making thirteen appearances and scoring four goals for the Riverhounds, John and the club mutually terminated the player's contract in July 2014, citing John's desire to return his family to Europe.[31]

John joined Crawley Town on trial in July 2014, scoring in a friendly against Brighton & Hove Albion.[32]

From the 2016–17 season, John coached the under-19 team of SC Buitenboys.[33] He joined their first team as a player in mid-2019, competing in the Derde Klasse.[34]

### International

[edit]

John was part of the Netherlands under-21 squad that won the 2006 European Championship in Portugal.[35]

Previously, he had already made his main team debuts, appearing in a 2–2 friendly match against Sweden, on 18 August 2004. He then made his second appearance for the Netherlands when they played in a friendly match against Liechtenstein.

## Club statistics

[edit]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition Club  | Season  | League  | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Continental  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|

Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals
FC Twente | 2002–03 | Eredivisie | 17 | 2 |  |  |  |  |  |  | 17 | 2
2003–04 | Eredivisie  | 18 | 9 | 1 | 1 |  |  |  |  | 19 | 10
Total  | 35 | 11 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 36 | 12
Fulham | 2003–04 | Premier League | 8 | 4 | — | — | — | 8 | 4
2004–05 | Premier League  | 27 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 34 | 6
2005–06 | Premier League  | 35 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 38 | 12
2006–07 | Premier League  | 23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 25 | 1
2007–08 | Premier League  | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 3 | 0
Total  | 95 | 20 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 0 | — | 108 | 23
Leicester City | 2007–08 | Championship | 11 | 2 | — | — | — | 11 | 2
Watford | 2007–08 | Championship  | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 5 | 0
NEC Nijmegen | 2008–09 | Eredivisie  | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1
K.S.V. Roeselare | 2009–10 | Belgian Pro League | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 11 | 0
Chicago Fire | 2010 | Major League Soccer | 17 | 3 | — | — | — | 17 | 3
Gabala | 2010–11|  | Azerbaijan Premier League | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 3 | 0
Mes Sarcheshmeh | 2011–12 | Iran Pro League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 4 | 0
Barnet | 2012–13 | Football League Two | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0
Piast Gliwice | 2013–14 | Ekstraklasa | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0
Piast Gliwice II | 2013–14  | III liga | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 3 | 1
Pittsburgh Riverhounds | 2014 | USL Pro | 12 | 4 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 14 | 5
Career total  | 204 | 41 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 224 | 47

1. ^ Includes KNVB Cup, FA Cup, Belgian Cup, Open Cup, Azerbaijan Cup, Hazfi Cup
2. ^ Includes League Cup

## Personal life

[edit]

John was born in Zwedru, Liberia, but his family emigrated to the Netherlands after the murder of his father, during the Liberian Civil War.[36]

His two brothers Paddy and Ola are also footballers.[37]

## Honours

[edit]

Netherlands U21

* UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2006

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Fulham FC".
2. ^ "Chelsea 2-1 Fulham". BBC News. 20 March 2004.
3. ^ "Leicester City 0-2 Fulham". BBC. 10 April 2004. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
4. ^ "Fulham 3-4 Blackburn". BBC. 12 April 2004. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
5. ^ "Goal of the month November 2005". BBC Sport. 16 May 2006. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
6. ^ "Middlesbrough 3–2 Fulham". BBC Sport. 20 November 2005. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
7. ^ "Foxes seal striker John loan deal". BBC Sport. 23 October 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2007.
8. ^ Leicester 0–1 Sheff Utd, BBC Sport 23 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-24
9. ^ Leicester 2–0 Barnsley, BBC Sport 28 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-28
10. ^ Colchester 1–1 Leicester, BBC Sport 3 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-03
11. ^ Collins John to N.E.C. loaned by Fulham Archived 5 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine (in Dutch)
12. ^ "KSVR strikt Nederlandse international Collins John". KSV Roeselare. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
13. ^ Officiel : John et Roulers se séparent Archived 17 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine
14. ^ "Fulham - Fulham - Striker Links up with Chicago Fire!". Archived from the original on 10 February 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
15. ^ "Thursday kickaround". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
16. ^ "John, Krol Released | Chicago Fire Soccer Club". Archived from the original on 28 November 2010.
17. ^ "Collins John Looking To Relaunch Career in Azerbaijan". InsideFutbol. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
18. ^ "Collins joined Mes Sarcheshmeh". Goal.com. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
19. ^ "Collins John joins Barnet in free transfer move". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
20. ^ Barnet 1 - 4 Plymouth
21. ^ Barnet 0 – 2 Oxford United
22. ^ "Collins John leaves Barnet". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
23. ^ "Collins John duikt op bij Go Ahead". goal.com. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
24. ^ "The player can be played with the increase of Piast". azerisport.com. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
25. ^ @cjohnzz (24 July 2013). "Signed 2yrs for Piast gliwice #football #poland" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
26. ^ "PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS SIGN FORWARD COLLINS JOHN". Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
27. ^ "Riverhounds vs. Kickers". USL Pro. Archived from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
28. ^ "PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS FALL TO RICHMOND KICKERS 3-1". Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
29. ^ "Hammerheads Defeat Riverhounds". USL Pro. Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
30. ^ "COLLINS JOHN SUSPENDED FOR 3 GAMES". Steel Army. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
31. ^ "PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS RELEASE FORWARD COLLINS JOHN". Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Archived from the original on 22 July 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
32. ^ John header hands Albion half-time deficit
33. ^ "Trainer Collins John wil via Buitenboys top bereiken". Omroep Flevoland (in Dutch). 4 February 2018.
34. ^ "Oud-international Collins John trekt voor Buitenboys zijn kicksen weer aan". Het Amsterdamsche Voetbal (in Dutch). 14 June 2019.
35. ^ "European U-21 Championship 2006 Holland Squad List". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
36. ^ Officiel : Collins John à Roulers Archived 15 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine
37. ^ Leo Spall (20 February 2004). "John Collins or Collins John?". London Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2010.

## External links

[edit]

* Collins John at 90minut.pl (in Polish)
* Collins John at Major League Soccer
* Collins John at Soccerbase
* Holland stats at OnsOranje

*[Apps]: League appearances
*[Gls]: League goals