Jack David Collison is a retired Welsh international footballer. A product of their youth academy, he progressed from trainee to playing first team football in the Premier League for West Ham United after joining the club at age sixteen. A versatile, all-rounded midfielder, he was able to play in centre midfield or out wide. He totalled 14 goals in 121 games for the Hammers between 2007 and 2014. After missing a whole year through injury, he spent time on loan at Bournemouth and Wigan Athletic in his final season. Following his exit from the Boleyn Ground, Collison joined Ipswich Town, where injuries meant he did not play a single game. He resumed his career at Peterborough United, where he retired in February 2016 at the age of 27, blighted by injury.
Born in England, he represented Wales due to his Welsh maternal grandfather. Collison represented the nation at under-21 level before making his senior debut in 2008, totalling 17 full international caps.
There is so much more to Jack than just stats. Here is a player who had an incredible bond with West Ham and their fans. When he was released he penned a 2800 word letter to the fans describing his journey from being a ‘star-struck’ trainee to scoring in the Premier League, as well as playing against Millwall despite his father having died just before the match.
Jack has not let his premature retirement get him down and has set up the jackcollisonsoccerschool.com and is studying journalism to help his transition into the sports media a smooth one.