An Interview - Colin Hawkins

Winning four League of Ireland Premier Division titles with a trio of different clubs, Colin Hawkins also had three stints in England, as well as earning a FIFA World Youth Championship bronze medal. The Galwegian recently spoke to Extraime.ie about his playing career, management and latest passion.  

Colin first tasted senior football at 16, for Salthill Devon against Athlone Town in the League Cup: “I knew I was going to England because I got some offers and wanted to play with men, at that age. That was a great experience and after my Leaving Cert, I went to Coventry City.”

Despite not featuring for the Midlands outfit’s first team in two years, the young central defender was integral in 1997, to Brian Kerr’s Republic of Ireland U-20s, who captured bronze in Malaysia: “My career highlight. Whenever I’m out, people always mention it ... A fantastic achievement, to finish third in a World Cup. I look back on it with immense pride.”

Due to these performances, Hawkins received interest from British sides, but Pat Dolan convinced him that signing for St Patrick’s Athletic would aid his fledgling career: “I was disillusioned by the way Gordon Strachan released me, and missed my family. Pat explained his plans and offered me a three-year contract.

In his first two years with the Saints, Colin won back-to-back Premier Division titles, including Players Young Player of the Year and FAI national league Player of the Year awards during his maiden season, 1997/98: “There was always a full house at Inchicore. We played exciting football and also enjoyed some great European nights.”

1999/00 saw Hawkins deployed as a holding midfielder for the reigning league champions: “I didn’t mind. I wasn’t the best player on the ball, but was comfortable. Centre-half suited me best … It’s my strongest position, but it’s important to try out new roles.”

After three years at Inchicore, Colin penned a deal with Ian Snodin’s English non-league outfit Doncaster Rovers, but on arrival, had to win over an unfamiliar figure, Steve Wignall: “When I got there, a new manager I’d never heard of had been appointed. It’s disappointing to sign for someone and he’s not at the club when you get there, but it’s happened to many players. You get on with it and try to impress the current boss.”

Hawkins left South Yorkshire, moving to Bohemians in late 2001. Although he contributed to the Gypsies capturing the following season’s Premier Division, it’s been reported that a section of the Dalymount Park faithful never rated his input:

“Some fans like you and appreciate what you do for the team and others won’t. You don’t beat yourself up and just carry on.”

Towards the end of 2004, Colin joined Shelbourne, going on to win his fourth Premier Division title two years later, after a 2-1 victory over Bohemians: “I remember Bobby Ryan’s headed goal in that game ... I don’t think Bobby ever nodded a ball before that. You win the league, plan for the next one, but things went awry, financially. There was a serious squad there that would have dominated for years.”

With Shelbourne’s players going their separate ways, Hawkins received a proposition from an unexpected source: “My agent said that there was an English Championship club offering an 18-month contract. When I heard it was Coventry, I couldn’t believe it – nearly ten years to the day that I was released. It was funny going back to the same training ground and even the same dinner ladies.”

Colin helped Coventry avoid relegation during his first season back, but 2007/08 began with a frustrating Achilles’ tendon injury and closed with a new manager declining to extend his stay: “Iain Dowie promised me he’d renew my contract when I got injured. On return, Ray Ranson, the new owner, had brought in Chris Coleman. The same injury ended Chris’ career, so he wasn’t going to take a chance.”

Loaned to Chesterfield, Hawkins did enough there to earn a move to Brighton & Hove Albion: “Within my two years, there were three managers. I had another Achilles’ injury on my other foot and was out for several months. A similar story … You get back fit and a new gaffer had arrived.”

Colin returned to the domestic league for the final time, in the summer of 2010, joining ambitious outfit, Sporting Fingal. Three weeks before his second season commenced, every squad member’s contract was cancelled and the club folded thereafter.

“They had a significant team and wanted to challenge for the league that year. We didn’t have any inkling that there were money worries ... To be given P45s in training and not even get the chance to take pay cuts, to try and resurrect it. There were ten days left in the transfer window, but we all managed to get fixed up.”

The Galwegian saw out his League of Ireland career with Dundalk and then Shamrock Rovers (his fifth Dublin club). The Hoops later appointed Hawkins as B team manager, to lead them into 2014’s unprecedented campaign, in the First Division.

“I was lucky enough to manage that group and enjoyed the year. Pat Fenlon came in and decided all funds would go into the first team. They stopped it after a season, so it was pointless, looking back.”

Colin was announced as St Mochtas Director of Football in May 2015, a role he still holds and one he endeavours to do his utmost in, especially to benefit youngsters: “When they asked me, I looked at it for a month, to see what I could improve. Since I’ve been there, we’ve made massive strides. We’ve doubled the number of kids coming and for me, it’s vital to get things right from the bottom up. It’s a work in progress, but I’m delighted with what we’re doing.”