SAM COLLINS has made 580 career appearances, 263 of them for Hartlepool United. Aged 37, he’s ensured a rack of different experiences in football over the years.

And it’s that know-how, built up since making his debut for Huddersfield as a 19-year-old that ensured his transition from centre-half to caretaker manager was initially a smooth one.

On Saturday evening, Collins was entrusted with the task of leading Pools after they were left managerless following Colin Cooper’s resignation.

Within minutes, his mind was awash with thoughts, plans and ideas. On Tuesday evening Pools had a home game to prepare for, with Sheffield United visiting in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Today they set off for Exeter and tomorrow’s League Two game. Pools are bottom of League Two, Collins has never been a manager before at this level.

He’s coached at Hull City’s Academy and Cooper this summer put him in charge of Pools’ reserve side, while he’s working towards his coaching badges.

For all the classroom lessons, sessions and learning undertaken, nothing can prepare for the task of taking charge of a team in a professional capacity.

“I’ve been in plenty of dressing rooms over the years, but this is a different scenario for me. It was strange on Tuesday evening,’’ he admitted.

“I told the lads the team, they went out to warm up and I was lost! Now what do I do? I went back out onto the pitch, I thought I could talk to them and help them warm up.

“When the game started I knew I’d be fine. I could stand in the technical area, talk to them through the game and help them. The staff were laughing at me – when Lewis Hawkins had a chance in the second half and tried to chip the keeper I was away, I thought it was going in.

“I was like Jose Mourinho running down the pitch!

“But it was completely different for me and I did enjoy it, without the result we wanted.

“I’ve enjoyed the experience in a lot of ways. My phone has been non-stop, I’ve had a lot of good luck messages from people I’ve not heard from in a long time which was nice.’’

Collins will draw on the experience of others as he dips his toe into the management waters.

Former boss Cooper is one of them: “I will definitely speak to Colin, I’ve a lot of respect for the guy. He’s someone I will keep in touch with.

“We are in this position for a reason, it’s not just Colin Cooper’s fault – that is for certain.’’

And tomorrow Pools are at St James’ Park – one of the few places Cooper and Pools enjoyed a real success. They won there 3-1 last season, as Cooper strung together five wins on the spin to win October’s manager of the month award.

How they could do with a similar spurt now.

While confidence seemed battered as Pools were turned over 3-0 by Carlisle last Saturday, there was a freshness about the side on Tuesday.

Collins gave first starts to Keiran Green in midfield, Dan Jones at left–back and Lewis Hawkins out wide. All three impressed and look set to keep their spots tomorrow.

Tellingly, Collins left skipper Matthew Bates and striker Marlon Harewood out of the squad.

“The young players I know because I’ve worked with them for a long time, I was desperate to play them and when I was asked by the chairman on Saturday night to look after things, I knew what I wanted to do,’’ he said.

“Keiran Green wasn’t going to shy away and when I told him he was going to play he gave me a hug and said thank-you.

“He wants to play all the time and train all the time and sometimes he needs to be told he needs to rest! He even gave me a hug after the game. He’s desperate to be a footballer and wants to do well.’’

He added: “It was my choice to do what I did. From Saturday night I had my own thoughts over what I wanted to do and how I wanted to play.

“I’m a strong character and whatever way I think is right then I will do it that way.

“If the lads train well on Thursday and Friday then whoever impresses me, if it’s still me in charge for Saturday I will pick the team I see fit.’’

Collins admitted he won’t be in the team as long as he remains in charge; there’s enough on the rookie manager’s plate without being concerned with playing.

He cited the example of Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe of what can happen if a young manager is given a chance to impress.

Maybe Pools do need more experience in charge because of the messy situation they are in, someone who knows the division inside out.

As a player Collins certainly has the knowledge.

“I want to manage, somewhere down the line. I’ve said it for a long time, probably since I was 20 years old and people thought I was daft,’’ he said.

“The way I tried to play and I’ve tried to be a leader and organise people. I’ve always enjoyed playing with young players as I feel I can help them along.

“I wanted to play on Tuesday night with the lads because I knew I could talk them though the game and make it easier for them.

“That was my only frustration, I wanted to be out there. I said in my team talk before the game that I wished I could have been out there.

“I’d not slept for three nights leading up to the game! I’ve not stopped. My phone was on the go all the time – Saturday night, Sunday night. I had the players in on Sunday, I had thoughts in my mind of the things I wanted to say.

“If I was playing, what would I want a manager to say to me after Saturday? I put a presentation together on Monday morning of statistics about us and what we could improve on.

“Yes we lost on Tuesday, but we were better in the areas I showed the players – that’s a positive.’’

Nicknamed ‘Grizzly’ by former coach Mick Wadsworth, Collins slotted seamlessly into the role within minutes of being tasked with the position on Saturday evening as Cooper walked away.

His plans were put into place immediately and, after Pools were back on the training ground yesterday, preparation was the watchword.

“I’ve always been really well organised as a person and as a professional footballer because I understood what it takes to be one,’’ he mused.

“I’ve wanted to be a manager and see this exactly the same way. You have to be prepared and organised.

“I’ve got this football club prepared until Exeter on Saturday and until I’m told otherwise. I’ve told everyone this is the way to go and do it.

“I love this club, I’ve grown to love it and I understand what the fans want.

“One thing we cannot do is change that now, what we can do is make something happen and get back up the league. There’s a hell of a lot of points to play for and games to play and we start that now.’’