James Collins says careers can change quickly in this game and youngsters have to take their chances.

First team coach James Collins says that the Crewe Alexandra youngsters should look at his own playing career to see how things can dramatically change. As a promising young player, Collins broke into Dario Gradi’s Championship side, winning the Man-of-the-Match award on his full League debut for the club in a 3-1 win over Barnsley and then notching his first goal against Bradford City in the following game.

Collins went on to make 29 appearances for the club in all competitions but he was also loaned out to Northwich and Kidderminster before he was released and joined The Vics on a permanent basis in 2001. Collins then drifted out of the game and concentrated more on his coaching career.

With four games to go this season, James says those who are selected to play are being handed an opportunity to show what they can do.

The club’s assistant manager said: “There are still four games to play and that gives those who are selected to play another opportunity. It is a privilege to be a professional footballer and play for this club.

“I can’t remember how many times I was able to play for Crewe when I was a player but I know it wasn’t that many. If I had known then that it would be that many then I would have tried to make more of the opportunity.

“Players think that it will just carry on and they will play hundreds of games but it can change quickly. They have to take full advantage of their opportunities.”