Phil Tooley's article about new signing Colin Hawkins from Saturday 5th April's Green Un is reproduced below.

Irishman Colin Hawkins (30) has had an unconventional career for someone of his age plying his trade in England.

The Galway born player signed for Coventry City from Irish junior side Salthill Devon in 1995 after a trial at City's then home Highfield Road where Gordon Strachan became the manager. However after two years of being a trainee, he wasn't offered terms and he returned to Ireland, joining St Patrick's Athletic.

However, before pulling on his Pat's shirt, he helped the Republic of Ireland U20's to third place in the 1997 FIFA U20 Championships in Malaysia. After losing to Ghana, Brian Kerr's men beat USA and drew with China, just enough to progress.

Morocco were beaten after extra time and Spain were seen off in the Quarter Final but eventual Champs Argentina proved too strong in the last four. Revenge over Ghana confirmed third spot.

Teammates included Damien Duff, Robbie Ryan, Micky Cummins and David Worrell, who all have enjoyed excellent careers in England whilst opponents numbered Stephen Appiah (ex Juventus, now Fenerbache), Youssef Safri (Southampton, ex Coventry and Norwich), Alberto Rivero (Real Betis), Miguel Angel Angulo (Valencia), Gerard Lopez (ex Barcelona), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Riquelme (Ex Barcelona) and Lionel Scaloni (ex Deportivo La Coruna).

His first two seasons at St Pat's both saw them win the League of Ireland title and Colin won two personal awards, the Young Player of the Year Award (1997-98) and the FAI National Player of the Year Award (1998). He became a regular at U21 level.

One of the highlights for him was a European Champions League tie, albeit in a Preliminary Round, against Celtic. Pat's played out a magnificent 0-0 draw in Scotland before losing 2-0 at home to goals by Brattbakk and the incomparable Larsson. Eddie Gormley, an ex Doncaster man who was once a Spireites loanee, was one of Pat's team mates.

Back to England with Doncaster, then a Conference outfit, and he played a season and a half before financial pressures saw him return to Ireland with Bohemians, his debut coming ironically against St Patrick's. A third League title came his way in 2003. He then moved on to Shelbourne and, in 2006, he won title No.4, an impressive record.

In January 2007 he returned to Coventry City when Adrian Heath was caretaker after Shelbourne had their own money troubles. He helped steer The Sky Blues clear of the drop zone of the Championship and new boss Iain Dowie also liked the look of him, but an achilles problem restricted his appearances this season and new boss Chris Coleman told him and seven others there'd be no new deal in the summer, hence his welcome appearance for the Saltergate side.

His first showing at Victoria Road last weekend was very impressive. Solid, loud, strong and confident, he was more than happy with his Spireites bow; "I was delighted with my debut. Dagenham's a tough place to go to and conditions weren't ideal for good football. If it had been a better day, I think we'd have scored a few more, we were the better footballing side.

"On a personal level, just to complete 90 minutes was great, my first competitive game in over seven months since I played for Coventry in the Carling Cup. I've had a tough time with injuries so I was delighted that Lee gave me the chance to come here and play some football and I'm hoping that I can help the lads push on and stay in a play off position."

On Chesterfield's chances of extending the season, the big man commented; "It's now coming to the time when wins are going to be hard to come by, everyone will be scrapping for something. I know Rochdale have a couple of games in hand but we can win all five of our remaining games, we're confident.

"I was very impressed with all of the boys at Chesterfield, a young side and a fairly small side barring Steve Fletcher up front. Downsey's got a bit of height but in this league you come up against a lot of big blokes. We have lots of lads who can really play football so hopefully it's onwards and upwards, make the play-offs and get a couple more games."

After Richardson's long search for a man of this profile, it begged the question 'why didn't you come sooner?' Simple; " The opportunity to come only came last week. I'd only completed my first reserves game after my ankle injury a couple of days before the deadline so there was no chance I could have come sooner."

He's at Saltergate now and, fourteen months after he returned to England, hot on the heels of his own wedding, the initial signs of the marriage look promising.

Phil Tooley