John Hollins

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John Hollins bigraphy, stories - English footballer and manager

John Hollins : biography

16 July 1946 –

John William Hollins MBE (born 16 July 1946) is a retired English footballer and manager. He was initially a midfielder who, later in his career, became an effective full back.

Hollins’s son, Chris Hollins was the main sports presenter on BBC Breakfast.

Managerial career

Chelsea

Hollins was immediately appointed coach at Chelsea; a year later he became first team-manager following John Neal’s retirement. Chelsea built up a strong title challenge in 1985–86 and went top in February, but they finished sixth after collecting a mere nine points from a possible 33 during their final 11 games.. The Guardian. 27 November 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2012.

His side still won the Full Members Cup in the same season, though, hanging on for a 5–4 win over Manchester City at Wembley having almost let slip a 5–1 lead. The following years were less successful, as Hollins and his assistant Ernie Walley fell out with several key players, particularly David Speedie and Nigel Spackman, team morale slumped and the side began to struggle. He was sacked in March 1988 with the club in the midst of a four month run without a league win which would see the season end in relegation.

Post-Chelsea

After leaving Chelsea in February 1989 he came out of retirement to sign for Cobh Ramblers. The Irish Times. However, he only played one league game before returning to England.

He then set up his own sports promotion and agency company, before being tempted back to join the coaching staff of his old club QPR in 1993, and stepped in as caretaker manager between Stewart Houston’s dismissal and Ray Harford’s appointment during the 1997–98 season. He later had spells as manager of Swansea City, Rochdale and as caretaker-manager of Stockport County. After which he managed Stockport County’s Chinese affiliate club Stockport Tiger Star, before becoming a pundit for BBC Radio Five Live.

He was most successful in his managerial reign with Swansea City where he quickly established himself as a fan favourite and guided Swansea to the Division Three title in 1999–2000, but was sacked after they failed to sustain themselves back in Division Two. He steered Rochdale into the play-offs in 2001–02 but was notoriously sacked by fax that summer after prevaricating over a new contract.. BBC Sport. 14 May 2002. Retrieved 1 June 2012

He spent a short time as the assistant manager at Raith Rovers in 2004, under Claude Anelka—the brother of Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka. He resigned following disagreements over tactics with Anelka.

On 21 November 2005, Hollins was announced as manager of Conference National side Crawley Town after the departure of Francis Vines. He remained with the club during the financial crisis that saw them docked ten points for going into administration, but left the club on 30 October 2006 after Crawley had been beaten by Lewes in the final qualifying round for the FA Cup.

In 2007 when Kenny Jackett left Swansea City, Hollins re-applied to become the manager of Swansea City for the second time. He did not get the job as it went to Spaniard, Roberto Martínez.

In January 2008, Hollins took over as manager of Conference National side Weymouth. He was joined just days later by Alan Lewer who filled the role of Hollins’ assistant for the second time as they were together at Crawley Town.

On 13 November 2008, Hollins was suspended from his duties by Weymouth, while The Blue Square Premier launched an investigation into whether there had been a breach of contract.. BBC Sport. 13 November 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2012. On 3 December 2008, Weymouth announced that Hollins had been sacked.. theterras.co.uk. 3 December 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2012.

Playing career

Born in Guildford, Surrey, Hollins was born into a footballing family – his father, grandfather and three brothers were all professional footballers as well. One brother, Dave, played international football for Wales.

Chelsea

He joined Chelsea as a youth player and made his debut for the Blues against Swindon Town in September 1963 aged only 17. A talented and hard-running midfielder, usually wearing the number 4 shirt, he was known for his dedicated attitude to the game and went on to become a regular and eventually club captain. Hollins played 592 games, and scored 69 goals in his first spell at Chelsea, and was part of the successful Chelsea sides of the mid-1960s and early 1970s, at one point making 167 consecutive appearances, a club record.