A player who needs little introduction to the Trinity faithful having made a handful of appearances for the Holy Blues under Neal Bishop - and then making an appearance on the final day - last season. It perhaps comes as no surprise that Cody would indeed put pen to paper. "It has taken a bit of time to get done, but I kinda knew in June. I've had conversations with Russ throughout the Summer - and I've never thought about going anywhere else! Obviously, I was with Tadcaster last year & other clubs in that league were interested, but after speaking to Russ, there was only one choice to make."

A former Mansfield Town Academy product, Collins joined Trinity back in 2022, playing six league games, and one cup game. In the league, he helped Gainsborough to four wins & two draws. Unfortunately, suffering an injury, Cody's career stalled a little, and he was released by Mansfield. Determined to get back to fitness, Collins remained focused - and went out and played regularly at Step 4 side, Tadcaster Albion, clocking up 25 games, he has certainly got his fitness up, and has looked in good shape for the Holy Blues in pre-season,

"Last season, it was just about getting back out and playing after ten months out. And I must have got 25 games in between November and March. Then, once my time at Tadcaster was over. I was able to play in the final game of the season against the Champions, Radcliffe." Collins certainly believes he has changed a lot in the last two years, since coming in on loan as a 17 year old centre back. "Last season, I played predominantly at left back - so I have that string to my bow - but in pre-season, I've already played three positions (left back, left wing back and centre back) it certainly helps being able to play multiple positions."

Looking ahead to the new season, Cody admits, "To be fair, I just want to play as big a role as I can. Get in the team and get as many minutes in. And help the team up the league. Get in and around the play-offs,"

It's fair to say, Cody wants to be at Trinity, as he considers how things have changed at Trinity, since his first spell. Collins points to the side looking like being, "on a positive upward spiral. Only Fraser (Preston) and Bailey (Conway) and skipper, Dylan Cogill are still here from the first time, but I think with the lads that Russ has brought in, things have changed for the better. As a young player, there was a lot of success at the back end of the season. And I think with the experience of Russ & KP, there is plenty to help learn from good coaching, and information."

The boss was equally pleased to confirm Cody's place in his squad, outlining, "Cody was with us last year to an extent, and I see good development in him, he's only young still, so it's a no brainer to have him in and around the squad with us, pushing on."

Collins' addition takes Wilcox's squad to sixteen and counting, with the squad coverage shown below:

Goalkeepers
Ollie Battersby & Josh Render

Defenders
Sisa Tuntulwana. Jordan Helliwell* Dylan Cogill, Ashley Jackson. Cody Collins*

Midfielders
Bailey Conway, Bobby Johnson, Joe Stacey, Fraser Preston, Lewis Butroid, Javelle Clarke

Forwards
Declan Howe, Dayle Southwell, Edwin Essel*

Players with an asterisk indicate that players are still available to sponsor, either home/away kits, or both. Prices starting at £100 for the individual, or £120 (which includes £20 VAT for businesses).

All being well, catch Cody in action on Tuesday night, against one of his former youth sides, Barnsley (7.30pm). It certainly looks like it will be a good challenge for Russ Wilcox's side, with tickets available to purchase online, or on the gate. People are encouraged to purchase in advance to reduce queuing times at the gate,

Article and image by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)