David Collins took over as FAW secretary in April 1995

David Collins is to retire as secretary general of the Football Association of Wales next year.

Collins will relinquish the post, which he has held since 1995, when he turns 65 in January 2010.

"When you look back over the past 15 years it's been exciting. It's been a challenge. It's something I have enjoyed enormously," said Collins.

"It's been a great privilege and for that I'm grateful to the council of the Football Association of Wales."

Collins, who replaced Alan Evans as secretary, will leave giving his full backing to Wales manager John Toshack despite the country's poor form in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

"The work he has done with his assistants and with Brian Flynn has really stood us in good stead now for the coming decade with the youngsters we have got coming through," insisted Collins

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to David Collins' retirement

But Collins admits one of his regrets has been not seeing Wales in their first major tournament finals since 1958.

"My personal disappointment is not having to organise in one of those major finals," he revealed.

"We won in Baku [against Azerbajan] with a young side. It's encouraging. Very young side. Could we make the 2012? Let's hope so."

Collins was a the forefront of Wales refusing to participate in a Great Britain football team at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

He took the stance the FAW would not undertake anything that would jeopardise its position as a separate nation within Fifa and Uefa.

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