Sam Jason Collins is an English professional football manager and former player who is the lead youth development youth coach at Mansfield Town. He played as a centre back in the Football League for Huddersfield Town, Bury, Port Vale, Hull City, Swindon Town and Hartlepool United, and managed in the Football League with Hartlepool United.

The 2002–03 season was Port Vale's 91st season of football in the English Football League, and third-successive season in the Second Division. Another poor season, Brian Horton's side avoided relegation with a seventeenth-place finish. Vale exited both the FA Cup and the League Cup at the First Round with defeats to Crewe Alexandra, and reached the Area Quarter-finals of the Football League Trophy. Financial issues were at the forefront in the minds of Vale fans, as the club entered administration in December. After a successful bid, Bill Bratt's Valiant 2001 group won control of the club, taking the club out of administration.