Recommended to City by former stalwart Reg Halton (then managing Scarborough), Colin made a rapid first-team break-through, but found his progress in the late 50s hampered both by a stint of National Service and by the competition of successive senior left halves Eddie Russell, Pat Ward, Don Walker and Ken Keyworth.

From the start of 1959/60, though, Colin missed only eight League games over five seasons, having his coolly forceful defensive half-back play (spiced with occasional forays into the inside-left slot) recognised with a place on the 1961 FA XI tour of New Zealand and the Far East, and a selection for the Football League in 1962.

He made two trips with City to Wembley FA Cup Finals, skippering the side on the second occasion in 1963, and was also, as captain, the first Leicester player to get his hands on a national knockout trophy when the club won the League Cup in 1964.

The same year he took a well-deserved testimonial game, with City facing an All Star XI. A first-leg Final scorer in City's unsuccessful attempt to retain the League Cup in 1965, Colin moved on a year later (to briefly extend his partnership with Ian King at the Valley), and soon turned his experience to coaching and management. His younger brother David was also on City's professional books in the early 60s.