collins earned a move to newly promoted second division club dumbarton in july 2002. during his stay at the strathclyde homes stadium, collins became popular with the fans and had a spell as captain and was key to paul martin's "sons" battle to stay in the second division in 2002–03. he then featured 34 times as dumbarton finished two points outside the promotion places in 2003–04 under brian fairley's stewardship. during his time there he had trials with falkirk, hibernian, rangers and charlton athletic. during his time in scotland he also completed a ba 'sport in the community' degree at the university of strathclyde.