Community News: Dunstable Town FC owner wins Euro 2025 with Transplant Football Team
- James Smith
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
Dunstable's Robert Collins represented the triumphant England Transplant Football Team in the Transplant European Football Championship last week.
Dunstable resident Robert Collins played for the England Transplant Football Team in the inaugural Transplant European Football Championship.
The Transplant European Football Cup featured six nations: England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Spain, and Wales. The tournament followed the success of last year's first World Transplant Football Cup, where Robert made his debut for the England team in Cervia, Italy. The aim is to promote transplant football and raise awareness about the importance of organ donation.
Sport has played a huge part in Robert's rehabilitation since his kidney transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Although he has put in gold medal-winning performances in badminton for the GBNI Transplant Team at previous World Games, Robert's first love has always been football.
Having played Dunstable Schools Football for Lancot Lower School, Lancot School and club football for Leighton United FC. The former All Saints Academy pupil joined both UK and European fellow transplant recipients competing in the ground-breaking event.
His dad, Matt is a coach for the Transplant Team as well as at DTFC plus a director and owner of the club.
For Robert, whose uncle donated a kidney to him when he was six, the tournament was an opportunity to raise awareness about transplants.
"It’s just a wonderful opportunity to say 'thank you' and represent everybody that’s worked so hard for me to get here," said Robert, who is also an owner at Dunstable Town Football Club.
"I am extremely grateful to Dunstable Town and all the volunteers at Creasey Park who have supported the team in the build-up."
Asked before the tournament if England could go all the way, he added, "I believe we can; we just focus on getting better, game by game."
As one of the training venues across the UK, Dunstable Town further highlighted their commitment to supporting the local community by hosting Robert and his teammates for both the World Cup and the upcoming European Championships this year.
Robert’s Bio:
Born: Luton & Dunstable Hospital.
Lives: Dunstable.
Attended: Great Ormond Street Hospital until 18.
Football: Lancot Lower School and Leighton United with dad as coach.
Schools: Lancot, All Saints Academy and Harlington Upper School.
University: Studied Sports Therapy at Gloucester University returning to Dunstable this year enrolling as an owner.
If you would like to know more about becoming an owner/member at Dunstable Town FC and the superb work, they do to support the community, visit:
To find out more about Transplant Active - Home of the British Transplant Games click here: facebook.com/TransplantActiveandBTG
Photo: Robert (bottom row second from left) with the team and and Matt Collins (bottom row, furthest right).
The results from the Euros are as follows:
Group matches:
W5-0 v Wales
W4-1 v Spain
D0-0 v Italy
W11-0 v Ireland
W10-0 v Scotland
Final:
W1-0 v Italy
They also grew recognition from Grassroots Football UK on their Facebook page:
BBC Oxfordshire also covered the story:
Read more on the England Transplant Team here:
Become part of future success on and off the pitch. Join now for exclusive DTFC owners benefits season 25/26. #towntogether
Photo: Robert Collins with DTFC chairman Andrew Madaras before the World Cup campaign last year.