James Collins lifts lid on West Ham exit, wishes he’d had a chance to thank the fans

Add as preferred source on Google

Former West Ham defender James Collins has expressed his frustration that he was not able to say goodbye to certain people around the club or thank the fans properly before his 2018 exit from the club, as per BBC.

Collins had two spells at the club, between 2005 and 2009 and 2012 to 2018, but the swift nature of his departure still rankles.

He said: “I would have liked the chance to say ‘bye’ to people I wanted to. Just give me one chance to see the people I want to see, say to the fans ‘thank you very much’. They’ve given me everything. To walk out after 11 years, and not be able to show any sort of gratitude, that’s the only gripe.”

Danny Gabbidon, who was a Hammers player during Collins’ first spell, backed him, saying: “They should have let you know that (you weren’t getting a contract). Two, not getting the opportunity to say goodbye to the fans and people.”

TBR’s View – Collins’ affection for West Ham is clear for all to see

There are perhaps some holes in what Collins is saying; he could have got in touch with people behind the scenes at the club if he really wanted to say goodbye.

A proper goodbye to the fans – or a testimonial – would have been a good thing for a player who gave his all for the club across two spells and remains genuinely grateful for that from the looks of it.

It’s clear that he still feels great affection for the club despite the way he left and that should go down well with the fans.