Jack Collison

Retired due to the constant pain from all the injuries
Big shame that, had high hopes for Jack when he came through

He has created other football avenues though so maybe he knew it was coming, so good luck to the lad for his future

So sad. He was never the same after he came back from the time out with his knee problem. When I first saw him play he seem to glide across the grass in the way Sir Trevor Brooking did

He has started a coaching school and will be coaching kids at Peterborough

Good luck to him. He will always be welcome at West Ham

Like Tony said he was never the same player after that knee injury he picked up against Wigan that year , Such a shame as he could of been a very good player for not only us but also Wales
Good to see he will still be around in football , I know if I was the board I`d try and get him on board and let him train the U18`s or something similar

Statement from Jack

It’s hard knowing how to start this…

But as of tomorrow when I wake up, I am no longer Jack Collison – the footballer, as of tomorrow I am officially retired.

I suppose this day has been coming for a while, but the harsh reality of actually admitting it and saying it, is very different to just thinking about it. In all honesty it has been on the cards for a while, but I have never been one to give up without a fight, and this fight against injury has truly been a mammoth battle.

I never in a million years dreamt at 27 years of age I would be having to announce my retirement, but then again I never thought I would have played in the premier league and for my country by the age of 19.

I think every kid grows up dreaming of one day playing in packed stadiums against some of the best players in the world, I suppose the only difference is that I became obsessed with this dream at a young age and eventually accomplished it.

I feel very blessed to have achieved what I did in my short time playing the game. However deep down I feel there will always be a sickening feeling of ‘what if’. Potential not quite reached??? Maybe.

The fact that I have never been fully fit since my knee injury at the age of 20 may haunt me in later life, but it is something I have grown comfortable enough to live with for the time being.

It certainly wasn’t through a lack of effort and trying. I dedicated my life to the game and even more so to my knee. Hours in the gym, sleepless nights, countless operations and thousands of pounds visiting the best physio’s around the world, all so I could make it out on to the pitch.

I’m happy that I can look myself in the mirror and say I threw my heart and soul into trying to accomplish my dreams.

However the time has finally come to say, enough is enough, and admit my body can no longer cope with the demands of modern day football.

The nights where I wake up in pain, or the mornings where I struggle to walk will be a constant reminder that I was lucky enough to play the game I love. That I put my body on the line time and time again to live out my dreams in front of the world.

I’m not after sympathy or a pat on the back, I just want to share my story and let people know how grateful I am that I had a little taste of it. I know I am one of the lucky ones.

When I look back now, I have many great memories. I can smile and enjoy sharing my experiences. I would be lying if I said I didn’t still wake up some mornings feeling good and think ‘1 more try.’ But that would be unfair. On myself, my fellow professionals and even more so my family. I have put them through hell fighting this battle, over the past couple of seasons especially.

I don’t want to be remembered for being useless and just picking up my money, I want to bow out with some of my pride intact. I have had plenty of time to mull this over and have not acted hastily in this decision and I must say that Peterborough united have acted with class throughout. They have allowed me to make the easy transition from playing to coaching without any issues and I now intend to repay their faith by helping the next generation make the step from young up and coming, to first team superstar.

My passion for playing is slowly dying out, but my passion for football is burning ever so strong and I intend to stay within the game and make my mark in other areas.

I am currently completing my coaching badges, whilst managing the posh u.18s and I love watching my own soccer school flourish. I have other interests as well, including a university degree in sports writing and a Miami venture which I am also very excited about. Although football has made me the man I am today it doesn’t define me and I am very optimistic about the future.

I suppose the only way to end this is by showing my appreciation to those who have helped me at various stages in my career and helped me realise my dream.

Firstly, thank you to all of the great clubs I have played for. Thank you to my family, my agent and my friends for sticking by me. We have experienced the ultimate highs, and deepest of lows and It’s been amazing to have you by my side throughout. A huge thank you to the fans as well, the support I have received has been amazing and I hope I have repaid some of you with some memorable moments on the pitch. A special thank you must go to my fiancé and my little girl, I know at times it must have been tough living with such an obsessed maniac, but your love and support through it all has kept me going, even on the darkest of days and I intend to make it up to you now.

Lastly I would like to take the time to thank the beautiful game, for football has given me so much. Through the blood, sweat and tears I am forever grateful.

As a kid you gave me a dream, a vision so intense I dedicated my life to you. As an adult you gave me a livelihood, an opportunity and a platform to share my love of the game with the world, And even as a retired player you have still not stopped giving, as I set upon my journey to give back to the game that has given me so much.

So I’m signing off for now. With a tear in my eye, but a huge smile on my face, I sit here optimistic. I’m excited for the next chapter and if it’s anything like the last I know it’s going to be one hell of a journey

Thanks for being a part of it

JC x

He is just a lovely man.  

It was a pleasure watching him grow at West Ham and sharing his dream of becoming the ultimate player for us. Sometimes, life can be such a bitch!

But through it all he carries on, regardless of the cruel blow dealt to him and with such dignity.

The "posh" are lucky to have him, but for me he is West Ham through and through.

Thanks Jack for the memories and there were some truly great ones.  Be lucky and successful in all you do and best wishes for your future happiness. xx 

Like Tony when I first saw him play I thought we had another Sir Trevor on our hands,  sadly that injury at the age of 20 eventually stopped that for him. Legend is used to often in football, but he is a West Ham legend,  not for the goals he scored against Cardiff in the play off semis, and his performances for Wales,  but for the way he conducted himself off thexfield. His desire to carry on knowing his dad had been killed in an accident while on his way to watch him a couple of days before the Millwall game. The way he has conducted himself over the last two/three years knowing this was the likely outcome of his injuries. To often  top footballers are proved to be shallow money grabbing chavs with no class, Jack has shown that is not always the case, he oozed class on the field and has shown it in spades off it. I hope one day he'll be back at the OScoaching a West Ham team to play with same style and class.

I agree Motty. Maybe he may end up in some form of the media?

Tony P wrote:

mottinghammer wrote:Like Tony when I first saw him play I thought we had another Sir Trevor on our hands,  sadly that injury at the age of 20 eventually stopped that for him. Legend is used to often in football, but he is a West Ham legend,  not for the goals he scored against Cardiff in the play off semis, and his performances for Wales,  but for the way he conducted himself off thexfield. His desire to carry on knowing his dad had been killed in an accident while on his way to watch him a couple of days before the Millwall game. The way he has conducted himself over the last two/three years knowing this was the likely outcome of his injuries. To often  top footballers are proved to be shallow money grabbing chavs with no class, Jack has shown that is not always the case, he oozed class on the field and has shown it in spades off it. I hope one day he'll be back at the OScoaching a West Ham team to play with same style and class.

x2