West Ham United’s official Twitter account posted a video of when James Collins scored a well-taken goal against Chelsea to put us level with our London rivals (BBC) to mark the day he joined us.
#GingerPele pic.twitter.com/LiqBmoGpBa
— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 4, 2019
The defender, who is affectionately known by many of us as ‘Ginge’ and the ‘Ginger Pele’, was into his second stint with the club then, however, on this day (4th July) in 2005 he arrived alongside then-Cardiff City team-mate Danny Gabbidon and Charlton Athletic defender Paul Konchesky when Alan Pardew was in control at Upton Park (BBC).
His first spell with the club was impacted significantly due to injuries, however, his second crack at playing for West Ham is what will be remembered fondly amongst the fan base.
Currently a free-agent, the 35-year-old was a mainstay in our defence for the six years he was with us following his move back from Aston Villa and he totalled a number of 214 appearances across the two terms he was with us, scoring nine goals (Transfermarkt).
When he left the club in 2018, he admitted he was ‘heartbroken’ at the situation (Instagram) amid suggestions that he was released by way of email (The Sun) with the article highlighting just how furious we all were with how things were handled at the time.
Indeed, those feelings for Collins are still as strong as ever within the club’s supporters as they all took to Twitter to celebrate what he had achieved with them.
Some of them called for the club to ‘bring him back’, whilst others wanted West Ham to give him what he deserves after the years of service he provided us with.
Here are just some of those reactions…
Cheers whole fan base is crying, nice one
— West Ham Clips (@WestHamClips) July 4, 2019
Give him the testimonial that he deserves.
— Joe (@_joemichael5) July 4, 2019
resign the lad
— ankkah (@real_bonerpizza) July 4, 2019
Bring him back!
— Frankie (@FrankieKiddelll) July 4, 2019
@brad18finan9 miss this bloke
— Jamie (@jamiewhusteele) July 4, 2019
We miss you ginge ????????
— Ryan ⚒⚒ (@_ryan_WHU) July 4, 2019
Sell Arnie and bring him back
— Oladipo Aregbesola (@Ola2898) July 4, 2019