Kyle Nix
Encyclopedia
Kyle Ashley Nix is a professional
footballer who plays in the Conference National
with Gateshead
. He was born in Sydney
, Australia
to English parents and moved to England at an early age.
Nix started his football career with the youth teams at Manchester United
and Aston Villa
, before he joined Sheffield United
. He had a loan spell with Barnsley
, but left Sheffield to join non-league Buxton
. He played seven games for Buxton during the 2006–07
season, before he joined Parkgate
where he spent the remainder of the season. He joined Bradford City
for whom he made his debut in league football in August 2007. After two seasons with City, he was released from his contract and returned to non-league with Mansfield Town
. He played two years with Mansfield during which time he reached the FA Trophy
final before moving to another Conference side Gateshead. Internationally, Nix has represented England at youth team
and semi-professional levels but holds an Australian passport and has expressed a desire to play for the latter country.
, Australia, while his father, Peter
, was playing football there. Peter had been a left winger, whose own professional career included 22 league games for Rotherham United
. When the family returned to Rotherham
, South Yorkshire
, Nix started his own football career. Nix's brother Korey is also a footballer.
, before joining Aston Villa
's youth side for a year. He was part of Villa's youth team which lost in the final of the FA Youth Cup
to Middlesbrough
. In July 2005, he was signed by Sheffield United
of the Championship
on a one year deal. His debut came in a League Cup
tie against League Two
side Shrewsbury Town
, which United won on penalties
, when he came on as a 90th minute substitute
. His only other appearance for Sheffield United was again as a substitute in the League Cup against Reading
.
Towards the end of the 2005–06
season he was sent on loan to League One
side Barnsley
where he stayed for three months. Barnsley won promotion to the Championship
although Nix did not play in any games. He returned to Sheffield United but he was among seven players to be released by manager Neil Warnock
. Nix had an unsuccessful trial at Peterborough United
, and one at Grimsby Town
which was curtailed by an ankle ligament injury, and played a reserve team outing for Rotherham United. But after failing to win a place at any of the three league teams, he turned to non-league football. He first appeared for Northern Premier League
side Buxton
, making his debut against Bridlington Town
on 11 November 2006. He played seven times for Buxton, scoring one goal, which came in a 9–0 Derbyshire Senior Cup
victory over Blackwell Miners Welfare
. For the rest of the 2006–07
season he turned out for Northern Counties East League
side Parkgate
. He also scored once for Parkgate—in a 4–3 Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup
semi-final defeat to Stocksbridge Park Steels
.
following a successful trial, teaming back up with Stuart McCall
, who Nix knew from his days at Sheffield United. He made his Bradford debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers
in a League Cup game scoring his first senior goal. His league debut came three days later in the first league game to be played at Shrewsbury Town
's new ground the New Meadow
. He was offered a longer term deal at City, before becoming a regular first team player. His first league goal was a long-range equaliser as Bradford drew 1–1 with Chesterfield
on 8 December 2007 before he added a second in successive games in a 2–1 defeat to Peterborough United. His goals helped to win him a contract extension in January until the end of the 2007–08
season. Later that month he improved his run of goals by scoring in three successive matches to help Bradford to five points from three games within the space of eight days. Nix stayed in the team for the remainder of the season, but it was not until April that he scored again, with a long-range volley against Brentford
, as he bid for a new contract for the 2008–09 season. On 29 April 2008, Nix was offered a new deal, which he signed the following week to remain at Bradford for another season.
Nix started Bradford's first two games of the 2008–09 season in place of Joe Colbeck
, who was suspended following a red card against Milton Keynes Dons
at the end of the previous campaign. However, when Colbeck was available again, Nix was dropped to the substitutes' bench, with new signing Paul McLaren
partnering Lee Bullock
, who had returned from injury, in central midfield. Nix struggled for form but was also playing with an ankle injury, which eventually forced him to take a hospital scan in November. He was one of six club midfielders to be injured at the time. He returned to action later that month as a second half substitute against his father's former team Rotherham United, at the Don Valley Stadium
. However, he struggled to hold down a regularly place in the side because of new midfielders signed during the course of the season, and he was released at the end of the campaign having played less than half the games that he played in his first year at City. Nix was offered the chance to return to Bradford by McCall if he could not find a new club but he rejected the invitation.
with three former Bradford colleagues, Joe Colbeck, Dean Furman
and Nicky Law. Although Nix had reported interest from League Two clubs, upon his return from holiday he dropped down a division to go on trial with Conference National
club Mansfield Town. After just three days of his trial he signed a two-year deal to become their 11th new player of the summer. Nix made his debut for Mansfield in their opening day 4–0 victory against Crawley Town
, and scored his first goal for his new club at the end of September during a 3–1 defeat to Barrow. Nix enjoyed a run of games in the first team and was described by manager David Holdsworth
as one of the club's "best players" until he suffered an ankle injury, which required surgery at a hospital in Northallerton
and kept him out of first-team action until the new year. He returned to playing action for Mansfield reserves in late January and was back in the first team squad by the end of the month. He made his comeback to the first team in a 3–1 defeat to Stevenage Borough
at the start of February. By the end of his first season with Mansfield, he had played 23 league games and scored twice.
During the follow pre-season, Holdsworth allowed Nix to attend a trial with Dutch Eerste Divisie
side Sparta Rotterdam
. Nix described it as a "chance of a lifetime" to pursue his dream of playing for the Australian national side with Sparta having an Australian coach. However, his trial was unsuccessful and he returned to Mansfield and he immediately scored in a friendly ahead of the new Conference season. Nix was not included in Mansfield's squad for the first three games of the season, and during the third match with the side losing, the club's fans were singing Nix's name. After eventually winning 3–1, Holdsworth said: "I know Kyle is a very good player and I respect the fans have individuals they like. But we have a healthy squad here and I picked what I felt was a winning side today which proved to be right." His first game of the season was as a late substitute for Adam Smith moments after Mansfield conceded an equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Kettering Town
. His first start of the season came as Holdsworth made changes to personnel and formation for a game at Southport
on 11 September. A 2–1 victory was Mansfield's third consecutive win. Before the end of the month, he had scored his first goal of the month, during a 5–0 victory against York City
which put Mansfield second in the table.
At the end of his second season, Nix was one of five players to be released by Mansfield.
, scoring a penalty in a friendly against Carlisle United
on 16 July 2011, before the game was abandoned after an hour due to torrential rain. Two weeks later, Nix signed an initial six-month contract with Gateshead. He made his debut as a second half substitute on 13 August 2011 in Gateshead's 3–2 win over Kidderminster Harriers
at Aggborough. He made his first start for Gateshead on 22 October 2011 in a 3–1 win against Telford United
at New Bucks Head
.
from under 16s to under 20s. He scored twice for the under 17s, in a 4–0 victory over Faroe Islands
and another in a 2–1 victory over Norway
, during the Nordic International Tournament in 2002. After moving to Mansfield Town in 2009, he was eligible to play for the England C team, which is the team which represents England at non-league level. He was one of three Mansfield players, along with Louis Briscoe
and Scott Garner
, to play in a 1–1 with Hungary on 15 September 2009. He was called back up for the England C team by manager Paul Fairclough
a year later.
Nix also holds an Australian passport, which he picked up in summer 2008, when he returned to the country for the first time since he left as a youngster in order to coach at Mitchelton Football Club. It enables him to play for the Australian side, a dream which Nix is still pursuing.
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
footballer who plays in the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
with Gateshead
Gateshead F.C.
Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager....
. He was born in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
to English parents and moved to England at an early age.
Nix started his football career with the youth teams at Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, before he joined Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
. He had a loan spell with Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
, but left Sheffield to join non-league Buxton
Buxton F.C.
Buxton Football Club are an English football club based in Buxton, Derbyshire. They were established in 1877 and joined the Combination League in 1891. They then joined the Manchester League in 1899 and won the championship in 1932. They reached the 3rd round of the FA Cup in the 1951-52 season....
. He played seven games for Buxton during the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season, before he joined Parkgate
Parkgate F.C.
Parkgate F.C. are a football club based in Parkgate, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. The club participates in Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division.-History:The club was established in 1969 as B.S.C...
where he spent the remainder of the season. He joined Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
for whom he made his debut in league football in August 2007. After two seasons with City, he was released from his contract and returned to non-league with Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
. He played two years with Mansfield during which time he reached the FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
final before moving to another Conference side Gateshead. Internationally, Nix has represented England at youth team
England national youth football team
England national youth football team can refer to the following age group teams:* England national under-23 football team* England national under-22 football team* England national under-21 football team* England national under-20 football team...
and semi-professional levels but holds an Australian passport and has expressed a desire to play for the latter country.
Early life
Nix was born in SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia, while his father, Peter
Peter Nix
Peter Nix is an English former footballer who played for Rotherham United and Penrith City. Sons Kyle Nix, who plays for Mansfield Town, Korey Nix and Kallum Nix, who are also footballers...
, was playing football there. Peter had been a left winger, whose own professional career included 22 league games for Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
. When the family returned to Rotherham
Rotherham
Rotherham is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Don, at its confluence with the River Rother, between Sheffield and Doncaster. Rotherham, at from Sheffield City Centre, is surrounded by several smaller settlements, which together form the wider Metropolitan Borough of...
, South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire is a metropolitan county in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England. It has a population of 1.29 million. It consists of four metropolitan boroughs: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, and City of Sheffield...
, Nix started his own football career. Nix's brother Korey is also a footballer.
Early career
Nix started his football career in England as a youth player for Premier League side Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, before joining Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
's youth side for a year. He was part of Villa's youth team which lost in the final of the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
to Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
. In July 2005, he was signed by Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
of the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
on a one year deal. His debut came in a League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
tie against League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
, which United won on penalties
Penalty shootout (football)
A penalty shoot-out, referred to as kicks from the penalty mark in the Laws of the Game, is the FIFA official term for a method used in association football to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament following a tied game...
, when he came on as a 90th minute substitute
Substitute (football)
In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
. His only other appearance for Sheffield United was again as a substitute in the League Cup against Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
.
Towards the end of the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
season he was sent on loan to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
where he stayed for three months. Barnsley won promotion to the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
although Nix did not play in any games. He returned to Sheffield United but he was among seven players to be released by manager Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock is an English former footballer who is currently manager of English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers....
. Nix had an unsuccessful trial at Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, and one at Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
which was curtailed by an ankle ligament injury, and played a reserve team outing for Rotherham United. But after failing to win a place at any of the three league teams, he turned to non-league football. He first appeared for Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
side Buxton
Buxton F.C.
Buxton Football Club are an English football club based in Buxton, Derbyshire. They were established in 1877 and joined the Combination League in 1891. They then joined the Manchester League in 1899 and won the championship in 1932. They reached the 3rd round of the FA Cup in the 1951-52 season....
, making his debut against Bridlington Town
Bridlington Town F.C.
Bridlington Town A.F.C. are an English football club, based in Bridlington, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. They were founded in 1918 and currently play in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division. The club's reserve team play in the Humber Premier League.-History:The club was founded in...
on 11 November 2006. He played seven times for Buxton, scoring one goal, which came in a 9–0 Derbyshire Senior Cup
Derbyshire Senior Cup
The Derbyshire Senior Cup is a local county football cup for teams based in the county of Derbyshire. It's final is traditionally held at Derby County's Pride Park Stadium....
victory over Blackwell Miners Welfare
Blackwell Miners Welfare F.C.
Blackwell receives an entry in the Doomsday book of 1085 showing that there was a Lord of the manor, 13 Villeins, 4 Bordars with ploughs, 7 acres of meadow, 1 wood and 1 priest with bordar. Whether the villeins were the first football team in the village was not recorded...
. For the rest of the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season he turned out for Northern Counties East League
Northern Counties East Football League
The Northern Counties East Football League is an English football league that was founded in 1982 by the merger of the former Yorkshire League and Midland League. The league has two divisions at present; The Premier Division and Division One which stand at the ninth and tenth levels of the football...
side Parkgate
Parkgate F.C.
Parkgate F.C. are a football club based in Parkgate, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. The club participates in Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division.-History:The club was established in 1969 as B.S.C...
. He also scored once for Parkgate—in a 4–3 Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup
Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup
The Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup is a county cup competition involving teams within the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association...
semi-final defeat to Stocksbridge Park Steels
Stocksbridge Park Steels F.C.
Stocksbridge Park Steels Football Club is a football club based in Stocksbridge, South Yorkshire, England, playing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. The club was formed in 1986 after a merger between two other clubs, and initially played in the Northern Counties East League...
.
Bradford City
In summer 2007, he was offered a short-term deal with League Two side Bradford CityBradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
following a successful trial, teaming back up with Stuart McCall
Stuart McCall
Andrew Stuart Murray McCall , usually known as Stuart McCall, is a former footballer who played in central midfield. He played a total of 763 league games during his career, the 13th highest of all British footballers...
, who Nix knew from his days at Sheffield United. He made his Bradford debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
in a League Cup game scoring his first senior goal. His league debut came three days later in the first league game to be played at Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
's new ground the New Meadow
New Meadow
The New Meadow, also known as the Greenhous Meadow for sponsorship purposes, is the home ground of Shrewsbury Town Football Club and is a UEFA Category Four stadium. The stadium is situated on the southern outskirts of Shrewsbury, England, between the districts of Meole Brace and Sutton Farm...
. He was offered a longer term deal at City, before becoming a regular first team player. His first league goal was a long-range equaliser as Bradford drew 1–1 with Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
on 8 December 2007 before he added a second in successive games in a 2–1 defeat to Peterborough United. His goals helped to win him a contract extension in January until the end of the 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season. Later that month he improved his run of goals by scoring in three successive matches to help Bradford to five points from three games within the space of eight days. Nix stayed in the team for the remainder of the season, but it was not until April that he scored again, with a long-range volley against Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
, as he bid for a new contract for the 2008–09 season. On 29 April 2008, Nix was offered a new deal, which he signed the following week to remain at Bradford for another season.
Nix started Bradford's first two games of the 2008–09 season in place of Joe Colbeck
Joe Colbeck
Joe Colbeck is an English professional footballer who plays as a right winger for League Two side Hereford United.Born in Bradford, England, he joined his hometown club, Bradford City, as a youth team player in 2002, making his debut two years later. He played more than 100 league games for...
, who was suspended following a red card against Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
at the end of the previous campaign. However, when Colbeck was available again, Nix was dropped to the substitutes' bench, with new signing Paul McLaren
Paul McLaren
Paul Andrew McLaren is an English footballer who plays for Oxford United. He was born in High Wycombe.-Career:He began his career as a trainee for Luton Town, playing over 160 games over eight seasons. He left Luton to step up a Division for Sheffield Wednesday where he played 96 games and scored...
partnering Lee Bullock
Lee Bullock
Lee Bullock is an English footballer who plays for Bradford City as a midfielder.He started his career with York City, with whom he played 171 league games and scored 24 goals, before he moved to First Division side Cardiff City in 2004 after a loan spell. He spent just one season with Cardiff...
, who had returned from injury, in central midfield. Nix struggled for form but was also playing with an ankle injury, which eventually forced him to take a hospital scan in November. He was one of six club midfielders to be injured at the time. He returned to action later that month as a second half substitute against his father's former team Rotherham United, at the Don Valley Stadium
Don Valley Stadium
The Don Valley Stadium is a stadium in Sheffield, England and is the home of Rotherham United F.C.. The stadium is an athletics stadium which has hosted major UK Athletic events and the 1991 World Student Games. Sheffield Eagles RLFC and Parramore Sports FC also use the stadium. It was designed by...
. However, he struggled to hold down a regularly place in the side because of new midfielders signed during the course of the season, and he was released at the end of the campaign having played less than half the games that he played in his first year at City. Nix was offered the chance to return to Bradford by McCall if he could not find a new club but he rejected the invitation.
Mansfield Town
Nix spent two weeks of summer on holiday in MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
with three former Bradford colleagues, Joe Colbeck, Dean Furman
Dean Furman
Dean Furman is a South African footballer who plays for English League One club Oldham Athletic, after signing from Rangers...
and Nicky Law. Although Nix had reported interest from League Two clubs, upon his return from holiday he dropped down a division to go on trial with Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
club Mansfield Town. After just three days of his trial he signed a two-year deal to become their 11th new player of the summer. Nix made his debut for Mansfield in their opening day 4–0 victory against Crawley Town
Crawley Town F.C.
Crawley Town Football Club is an English football club based in Crawley, West Sussex. They won the title of the Football Conference, by a record 15 point margin on second place, and with it promotion to The Football League, in April 2011.-1896–2009:...
, and scored his first goal for his new club at the end of September during a 3–1 defeat to Barrow. Nix enjoyed a run of games in the first team and was described by manager David Holdsworth
David Holdsworth
David Gary Holdsworth is an English former footballer who is the current manager of Lincoln City.-Playing career:He played as a centre back for Watford, Sheffield United, Birmingham City, Walsall, Bolton Wanderers, Scarborough and Gretna, and was capped once for England at Under-21 level...
as one of the club's "best players" until he suffered an ankle injury, which required surgery at a hospital in Northallerton
Northallerton
Northallerton is an affluent market town and civil parish in the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England. It lies in the Vale of Mowbray and at the northern end of the Vale of York. It has a population of 15,741 according to the 2001 census...
and kept him out of first-team action until the new year. He returned to playing action for Mansfield reserves in late January and was back in the first team squad by the end of the month. He made his comeback to the first team in a 3–1 defeat to Stevenage Borough
Stevenage Borough F.C.
Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...
at the start of February. By the end of his first season with Mansfield, he had played 23 league games and scored twice.
During the follow pre-season, Holdsworth allowed Nix to attend a trial with Dutch Eerste Divisie
Eerste Divisie
The Eerste Divisie is the second-highest division of football in the Netherlands. It is linked with the top-level Eredivisie via a promotion/relegation system. It is also known as the Jupiler League due to sponsorship, which is the same name as the top league in Belgium...
side Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam
Sparta Rotterdam is the oldest professional football team in the Netherlands, established on April 1, 1888. Sparta is one of three professional football clubs from Rotterdam, the others being Excelsior and Feyenoord , the latter playing in the Eredivisie.-History:Sparta was first founded in 1887....
. Nix described it as a "chance of a lifetime" to pursue his dream of playing for the Australian national side with Sparta having an Australian coach. However, his trial was unsuccessful and he returned to Mansfield and he immediately scored in a friendly ahead of the new Conference season. Nix was not included in Mansfield's squad for the first three games of the season, and during the third match with the side losing, the club's fans were singing Nix's name. After eventually winning 3–1, Holdsworth said: "I know Kyle is a very good player and I respect the fans have individuals they like. But we have a healthy squad here and I picked what I felt was a winning side today which proved to be right." His first game of the season was as a late substitute for Adam Smith moments after Mansfield conceded an equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
. His first start of the season came as Holdsworth made changes to personnel and formation for a game at Southport
Southport F.C.
Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...
on 11 September. A 2–1 victory was Mansfield's third consecutive win. Before the end of the month, he had scored his first goal of the month, during a 5–0 victory against York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
which put Mansfield second in the table.
At the end of his second season, Nix was one of five players to be released by Mansfield.
Gateshead
During the summer, he had trials with fellow Conference side GatesheadGateshead F.C.
Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager....
, scoring a penalty in a friendly against Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
on 16 July 2011, before the game was abandoned after an hour due to torrential rain. Two weeks later, Nix signed an initial six-month contract with Gateshead. He made his debut as a second half substitute on 13 August 2011 in Gateshead's 3–2 win over Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
at Aggborough. He made his first start for Gateshead on 22 October 2011 in a 3–1 win against Telford United
A.F.C. Telford United
A.F.C. Telford United are an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire, playing in the Conference National league at the fifth level of the English football pyramid. The club plays its home matches in Wellington, which forms part of the new town of Telford...
at New Bucks Head
New Bucks Head
New Bucks Head is a stadium in Telford, England and the home of Conference National football club A.F.C. Telford United. It was originally built for Telford United to play at before they went bankrupt. The stadium is on the same site as the original Bucks Head, which had been home to Telford...
.
International career
Nix has appeared for various England youth international teamsEngland national youth football team
England national youth football team can refer to the following age group teams:* England national under-23 football team* England national under-22 football team* England national under-21 football team* England national under-20 football team...
from under 16s to under 20s. He scored twice for the under 17s, in a 4–0 victory over Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands national football team
The Faroe Islands national football team represents the Faroe Islands in association football and is controlled by the Faroe Islands Football Association, the governing body for football in the Faroe Islands. The Faroe Islands became a member of FIFA in 1988 and UEFA in 1990 and are the third...
and another in a 2–1 victory over Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
, during the Nordic International Tournament in 2002. After moving to Mansfield Town in 2009, he was eligible to play for the England C team, which is the team which represents England at non-league level. He was one of three Mansfield players, along with Louis Briscoe
Louis Briscoe
Louis Andrew Briscoe is an English footballer who plays for Conference National club Mansfield Town. His playing position is either as a Striker or on the right or left wing....
and Scott Garner
Scott Garner
Scott John Garner is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Conference National side Grimsby Town...
, to play in a 1–1 with Hungary on 15 September 2009. He was called back up for the England C team by manager Paul Fairclough
Paul Fairclough
Paul Fairclough is the current manager of the England C national football team, formerly known as the National Game XI, England non-League team or the England semi-pro team, and in charge of youth development at Barnet having been caretaker for two months in 2011.As a player he made five...
a year later.
Nix also holds an Australian passport, which he picked up in summer 2008, when he returned to the country for the first time since he left as a youngster in order to coach at Mitchelton Football Club. It enables him to play for the Australian side, a dream which Nix is still pursuing.
Playing statistics
- Updated to 29 November 2011.
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Sheffield United Sheffield United F.C.Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...2005–06 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 Barnsley Barnsley F.C.Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
(loan)2005–06 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Buxton Buxton F.C.Buxton Football Club are an English football club based in Buxton, Derbyshire. They were established in 1877 and joined the Combination League in 1891. They then joined the Manchester League in 1899 and won the championship in 1932. They reached the 3rd round of the FA Cup in the 1951-52 season....2006–07 6 0 0 0 – – 1 1 7 1 Parkgate Parkgate F.C.Parkgate F.C. are a football club based in Parkgate, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. The club participates in Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division.-History:The club was established in 1969 as B.S.C...2006–07 ? ? ? ? – – ? 1 ? 1 Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C.Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....2007–08 40 6 2 0 1 1 1 1 44 8 2008–09 16 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 19 0 Total 56 6 3 0 2 1 2 1 63 8 Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C.Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...2009–10 23 2 0 0 – – 0 0 23 2 2010–11 25 3 2 0 – – 5 0 32 3 Total 48 5 2 0 – – 5 0 55 5 Gateshead Gateshead F.C.Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager....2011–12 2011–12 Gateshead F.C. seasonThe 2011–12 season is Gateshead's third consecutive season in the Conference National and their 14th at this level in total.Gateshead are also fielding a reserve side in The Central League for the second consecutive season and a newly formed under-19s team will play in the Football Conference Youth...8 0 2 0 – – 0 0 10 0 Career totals 118 11 7 0 4 1 8 3 137 15