Two giant memorials to a man dubbed the ‘Traveller King’ and his brother at a council-run cemetery have sparked fury – after the first was erected without planning permission.
The latest nine-foot-high stone memorial marks the grave of Michael Collins and is situated just metres from a 37-ton, £200,000 marble headstone in memory of his bare-knuckle-boxer brother Willy Collins.
Willy, described as the ‘King of Sheffield’, was buried in a 22-carat gold coffin in Shiregreen Cemetery, Sheffield, after collapsing and dying aged 49 in Majorca, Spain, in 2020.
His gravesite broke planning rules, according to Sheffield City Council, sparking a row between the authorities and the Collins family. Willy’s widow Kathleen even threatened ‘war’ if the site was pulled down.
But now, four years later, another huge marble headstone has appeared just metres away to remember Michael, who passed away aged 51 in December 2024.
Images of the new structure show how white statues have been constructed on top of a black marble base, which features pictures of Coca-Cola bottles and inscriptions of heartfelt messages.
Willy’s memorial, including Irish flags, flowers and a large inscription reading ‘KING’, is situated only metres away in the distance.
Dozens of locals in South Yorkshire have been left disgruntled since the newer memorial appeared, with one comparing it to ‘haunted crazy golf’.
A giant new memorial to remember Michael Collins in Shiregreen Cemetery, Sheffield, has sparked fury
Michael, the brother of ‘Traveller King’ Willy Collins, passed away aged 51 in December 2024
His memorial is situated only metres from Willy’s (pictured left), which features inscriptions reading ‘KING’
Michael is pictured in a life-sized structure at Shiregreen Cemetery
Many have also speculated that the site could have been erected without planning permission, though this is yet to have been clarified.
‘It is there because the council did not take action against the first one,’ one resident complained.
Another fumed: ‘So if they didn’t get permission the first time, why is this allowed? One rule for them because they don’t want any trouble and another rule for the rest of us.’
A different local added: ‘That’s wrong. A shrine that big should be in a private cemetery not a council one.’
‘They’re travellers that ruled the streets of Sheffield and made their own rules and laws they answered to no one and still don’t,’ another complained.
Some residents have defended the headstone, saying it is a ‘beautiful place to remember their loved ones’.
The lavish nine-and-a-half-feet-tall memorial – which was built this month – includes two white life-size statues of Michael, a father-of-four.
One stands as a centrepiece with what appears to be two large statues of Jesus Christ on either side. Behind him is a marble pint of Guinness, and depictions of a can of Guinness and a bottle of Budweiser.
The second is sat on a bench on the left side of the memorial next to a tribute and an image of the four Collins Brothers captioned ‘Sheffield Collins Brothers’, all four of whom have passed away.
Willy’s gravesite, situated just in front of Michael’s, is pictured
Michael’s memorial features pictures of a Diet Coke as well as a working Bluetooth marble jukebox
The lavish nine-and-a-half-feet-tall memorial – which was built this month – also includes two white life-size statues of the father-of-four
A number of heartfelt messages to Michael are engraved into the structure
The four Collins brothers – Michael, Willy, Terry and Anthony – are seen in a picture at the site
Terry Collins died aged 52 in September 2024, while Anthony was laid to rest aged 22 in 2002 after suffering fatal stab wounds in an incident at the Afro Caribbean Club on Spital Hill.
They are also buried in the cemetery.
To the right of the Michael memorial is a working Bluetooth marble jukebox bearing the words ‘Legend Michael Collins’ – alongside two Irish flags and a CD in a case, featuring a photograph of Michael at its centre.
Next to that is what appears to be a sculpture of a Ford Transit van and a tribute to Michael from his family.
A giant sculpture of a watch sitting on top of a chair is positioned to the left.
Paying tribute to Michael, one of his loved ones said: ‘He was a loving father, uncle, brother, husband and son and grandfather.
‘His brother was Willy Collins and is buried across from him. He lived in Sheffield throughout most of his life being part of the Sheffield Collins traveller family.
‘He was known as the true blue of Sheffield and one of a kind.’
At the time of his death Michael’s heartbroken daughter, Paris, said: ‘Dad was a loving family man.
‘He lived and died for his wife and children, and he absolutely doted on his little grandbaby. He thought the world of him.
‘My mum is absolutely heartbroken. They’d been together for 27 years and they did everything together.
‘My dad is in heaven now with his brother, Willy, sister-in-law, Josie, and Willy’s oldest daughter, Bonnie.’
Memorials such as the one erected in Sheffield require a permit to be built.
Sheffield City Council has been approached for comment.
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