Farewell Malcolm Collier
Today is one of those days of mixed emotions, being pleased at the prospect of retirement and of course tinged with sadness at saying farewell to many colleagues and good friends.
My time at the SGSA (FLA) seems to have gone by so quickly and yet it was 12 years ago when I was made aware of a post becoming available in the FLA.
I will always be grateful to Eamonn Sheridan, who became a friend through working together at Norwich City in the 1990’s, and who steered me towards this second career.
From my first days within the role it has been interesting and yet at times, very challenging. The prospects of not knowing what would arise next, was one of the appeals of the job.
There have been many memorable moments but the one that stands out most was the introduction of my fellow inspector Lou Elliston into the FLA, who on her first day accompanied me to the memorable play-off game at Millwall v Birmingham in May 2002. After an eventful game and a long night of crowd disorder Lou and I picked our way through the debris to catch the night bus to Trafalgar Square at 1 am. Poor Lou still had to find a taxi to take her home from the capital. What an introduction to the role of a FLA inspector!
Over the years I have had the pleasure of working with a number of wonderful colleagues too numerous to mention by name, who will now always be considered as friends, but sadly one of those dear friends is no longer with us.
To me John Levison, a former FLA inspector, was a real friend and we had many days, and nights, of discussion and indeed mirth, not least when we ended up in yet another B&Q car park, navigation was not John’s strong point! I know his untimely death affected us all.
But those sad times are countered by the good. The delight at seeing a team from my region promoted, moving to a new stadium, enhancing the stadium or achieving League status will always be with me. It culminated this year when I attended the official opening of the Amex stadium at Brighton. What a wonderful example of considered design, construction and management.
But I think the greatest part of the job has been meeting and befriending so many wonderful people; the safety officers, stadium staff, emergency services and local authority officers who have all done so much to make football so much safer and enjoyable.
In the past few weeks there have been so many cards and messages from clubs and individuals, all expressing regrets at my leaving. It is heartening to think that I may have helped, even in some small way.
I close by thanking my dear friends at HQ and wishing Ruth and the team all the very best for the future and success in the challenges that they face.
Malc.
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