skip navigation

Rowdies' Neill Promises Changes in Open Letter

By JOHN ARLIA - john.arlia@uslsoccer.com, 10/16/18, 2:46PM EDT

Share

Tampa Bay Head Coach writes to fanbase after 'challenging' season saw side miss playoffs


Rowdies' Head Coach Neill Collins salutes the home fans after its recent match against the Richmond Kickers. | Photo courtesy Matt May / Tampa Bay Rowdies

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – After a disappointing season saw the Tampa Bay Rowdies fall short of the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs, Head Coach Neill Collins penned an open letter to the club’s fans on Monday to thank them for their support and provide a glimpse into a brighter future.

Collins, who transitioned from the playing field to management on May 18 to replace former Head Coach Stuart Campbell, led the Rowdies to a 7-10-8 record in 25 games in charge as the club finished the season 12th in the Eastern Conference on 41 points.

“As this season comes to an end, the hard work is only just beginning as myself and my staff begin to reshape the playing squad for next season,” Collins wrote. “There will be many tough decisions to make and none will be taken lightly or indeed shirked, but ultimately, after such a disappointing season we need to make some difficult and radical decisions that will make us stronger and produce a team that will take us all where we wish to be.”

The 35-year-old Scotsman acknowledged that this campaign was a “challenging” one as the club struggled to live up to expectations on the field and underwent drastic changes off it, with former owner Bill Edwards announcing the sale of the franchise to the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this month.

Collins, who made 67 playing appearances with the club after joining in 2016, believes the change in ownership “should give everyone great optimism for the future” and promised to build a squad that the Tampa Bay fanbase can be proud of.

“It is now my job to ensure that we have a team worthy of this great club playing out on our fantastic field at Al Lang in the green and gold,” wrote Collins. “Despite inconsistent results, I can assure you that behind the scenes, substantial progress has been and will continue to be made to stand us in good stead long into the future.”

Read Neill Collins' Full Letter to Fans

Follow the USL Championship

Most Recent News

Most Read News

Latest Videos