'I'm back in it now': Roddy Collins named football consultant at English sixth tier club

Collins will act as an advisor and representative for the club and he will work under their new owner, Dublin businessman John O'Leary.

BACK IN BUSINESS: Roddy Collins is back in football after he has been named as a consultant with Ebbsfleet United in the National League South in England. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Roddy Collins is back in football after he has been named as a consultant with Ebbsfleet United in the National League South in England.

Collins will act as an advisor and representative for the club, who are in the sixth tier of English football, and he will work under their new owner, Dublin businessman John O'Leary.

The Dubliner took full control of Ebbsfleet this week after settling their hefty tax bill, which had seen them be served with a winding up order in July, which then resulted in suspension by the National League after their first three league games were postponed.

"My remit is to come in, get the feel for it, listen to the supporters, and try to figure out how a club this small got into such a financial mess," Collins told the club’s website, ahead of their National League South clash against AFC Totton, where his son Roddy Jnr once played - on Saturday.

"When all that settles down, I'm moving over with my wife and I will become an integral part of the club. If there's a conduit here between anyone here and the owners, it'll be me and I can give my honest opinion."

"They said, 'Rod, we've bought a club. We need your help because of your expertise and experience.'

"And I like the people involved that I've met in the consortium. I turned to my wife, Caroline, the boss, and said, 'what do you think?'

"She said, 'Rod, c'mon. You've too much to offer.' So, it was either walk the beach in Spain and have a nice swim or stand here! And my commitment is here."

"This is real football and they're [Ebbsfleet supporters] real football people. I'm a real football person. I'd get more enjoyment out of this than if a league club rang me up and said 'we'll give you a directors' box...' Nah, this is real football.

"I've managed every top club in Ireland. Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians. Carlisle United. FC Floriana in Malta. And I love it.

"But unfortunately, I took on the establishment and I lost. And I lost my career. But I'm back in it now."