Pitching In Isthmian Volunteer of the Month: Jack Collins (Basingstoke Town)

By James Reid

No one was happier than Jack Collins as Basingstoke Town sealed the Pitching In Isthmian League Division One South Central title in the most dramatic circumstances.

A last-minute equaliser for Thatcham Town against Walton & Hersham was enough for the ‘Stoke to secure automatic promotion, causing kitman Collins to stream onto the pitch and lead the celebrations.

It was just reward for the 27-year-old’s tireless hard work, with his relentless commitment to even the smallest tasks, from picking up cones to fetching balls, richly valued by manager Dan Brownlie.

“You have never seen a man go more loopy than him,” joked Brownlie.

“We went on a team night out afterwards and he was singing everything. ‘We Are The Champions’ came on and it was like Freddie Mercury was in the room!

He was the only one out of everyone that I had spoken to that was adamant that we would win the league even though the odds were against us. I don’t think the referee had blown the full-time whistle and Jack was on the pitch leading the celebrations!

He embodies everything that is brilliant about Basingstoke. He’s passionate, he’s hardworking, he loves the club. If you split Jack in half, he would bleed the badge.”

Basingstoke’s success has been underpinned by the hard work of Collins and his fellow volunteers, and fans across the country are now able to find opportunities at clubs near them using the Pitching In Volunteer Hub.

Collins’ love affair with Basingstoke began aged 11 when he was a mascot, and over 15 years later it is only the odd holiday trip to Weymouth that can keep him away.

The 27-year-old, who has learning difficulties, is the glue that keeps those in yellow and blue together, with his work off the pitch helping to create the platform for such a successful season on it and seeing him become the latest recipient of the Pitching In Volunteer of the Month award.

“The role he does, it’s a really thankless task,” added Brownlie. "None of my players want to go and get the ball when they have kicked it over but Jack is round there like a greyhound before you have even asked him to get it.

He is the first person to speak to players as they come in, it’s such a warm welcome.

He is there on a Tuesday night in the wind and rain picking up cones and he does it with such enthusiasm that it makes a huge difference to the way we are able to go about our work, which makes winning games a lot easier.

In every aspect of the club, I am so proud of what we have managed to achieve this year. A large part of our success this year has been the growth of the club in every aspect.

The little things like sorting the kit and putting the cones out make such a difference to how the players feel; they turn up and it all looks professional, and Jack is a massive part of that.”

Find volunteering opportunities at your local club by visiting https://pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk/

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