Rovers get shot in the arm with deadline day transfer

Forest Green Rovers have signed midfielder Jamie Collins from League Two side Aldershot Town on a permanent 18 month deal.

The 27-year-old has made 31 appearances for the Hampshire club this season after signing from Blue Square Premier outfit Newport County last summer.

A powerful, left-footed midfielder with almost 300 senior games under his belt; Collins is versatile enough to play at left back and centre half, and has netted 30 times in his career.

Rovers Manager David Hockaday said: “We’re delighted to have secured Jamie for the rest of the season. He’s a big, strong lad who can boss the midfield and is the type of player that sets a standard that others will follow. He's a leader and a winner.

“As I said last week when we signed Michael Pook, our players are starting to show a little bit of wear and tear after 33 games and Jamie will reinforce the middle, give us quality in depth and put pressure on the incumbents for a starting berth.”

Collins began his youth career as a scholar at Watford, signing a professional contract with the club in June 2004, before moving to Havant and Waterlooville at the end of that season. After two seasons with The Hawks, he was handed the captain’s armband in 2007/08 and led the south coast team on a giant-killing FA Cup run, knocking out Football League sides Notts County and Swansea City before losing a memorable fourth round tie against Liverpool at Anfield, in which Havant twice took the lead before losing 5–2.

After a brief spell with Hampton and Richmond Borough, Collins signed for Newport County, where he was a key player in their record breaking 2009-10 season, when they won the Conference South title with a record 103 points.

For more information, please contact:

Stuart Brennan onstuart.brennan@ecotricity.co.uk  or 07557 436697