---
title: "OTD: West Ham wave goodbye to James Collins"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/05/13/otd-west-ham-wave-goodbye-to-james-collins/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-05-13T16:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-05-13T16:00:00Z"
---

# OTD: West Ham wave goodbye to James Collins

On this day (May 13) in 2018, [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/05/13/virals-west-ham-reportedly-target-two-possible-striker-signings/) said goodbye to legendary central defender [James Collins](https://readwestham.com/2021/03/01/duel-pick-your-favourite-welshman-to-play-for-west-ham/).

The Welshman said an emotional farewell to the Hammers faithful as he bowed out after a two-minute appearance during the [final day 3-1 victory over Everton](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/2872494) in the 2017/18 campaign.

That was to be Collins’[214th and final appearance](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-collins/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/12691) in claret and blue as a rather farcical parting of ways followed.

> Twitter: RT @WestHam\_Central: On this day in 2018: Ginge bid us farewell ![😥](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f625.svg)![⚒](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/2692.svg) https://t.co/EJfEceBISF (@WestHam\_Central)

The [unamicable departure](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/players/james-collins-west-ham-pellegrini-14697168) left a bad taste in the mouth of both player and supports alike, given the service the dominant centre-back had afforded the east Londoners.

Now 37, the [51-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-collins/nationalmannschaft/spieler/12691/verein_id/3864) Wales international officially [retired from football](https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18802260.former-wales-defender-james-collins-retires/) in October 2020 after a [short stint](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-collins/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/12691/verein/677) in the Championship with Ipswich Town.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

‘Ginge’ epitomised what it meant to play for West Ham at times.

A [committed performer](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/october/17-october/ten-reasons-we-will-always-love-james-collins) who always wore his heart on his sleeve.

Collins will always be fondly remembered for his playing days by West Ham fans.