OPINION
Some players transcend the usual boundaries set out by professional footballers. These select few are more than just another mercenary playing for a pay packet and tend to endear themselves so greatly with a club that they are remembered long after they retire. Some go further still, taking on a role with the side after they hang up their boots, all but ensuring that they go down in folklore with supporters. Jack Collison is one of those players for West Ham. The former midfielder signed for the Hammers as an U18, and on to play for the club until 2014. After that came a couple of seasons with Ipswich Town and Peterborough before the injuries that had plagued him throughout his playing days caught up with him and he retired in 2016. Still only 30, Collison has gone on to do a wonderful job with West Ham’s academy as a coach, but announced on Thursday that he will be leaving the Hammers this summer, with Kevin Keen replacing him as coach of the club’s U16 setup. The former Wales international has not shed any light on his plans for the future just yet, but wherever he goes, he will always be welcome back in east London.
This is Futbol have gathered some of the best tweets below:
All the best mate ur always a legend and a hammer ?
— ? Leon ? (@LeonH1983) June 13, 2019
Gutted you are leaving but wish you well Jack always part of the WHU family ???
— Mary (@ZaynafamilyMary) June 13, 2019
Best of luck Jack, you’re always welcome back in whatever role ?
— Craig Podevin (@CraigPodevin) June 13, 2019
No jack ?
— Daniel Judd (@DanielJudd11) June 13, 2019
Good luck jack. Love you to bits mate ???
— Kevin Slade (SD&CC) (@KevinSladeSDCC) June 13, 2019
Truly gutted to read this, but best of luck in the future mate! Wish you and your family all the best ???
— Jamie (@Jfar_whufc) June 13, 2019
Such a shame you were cut off in your prime as a player. The same thing happened to some guy called John Lyall and that was barely the beginning for him, so fingers crossed history repeats. You know you'll be back one day! ????
— Julian Shea (@juliansheasport) June 13, 2019