Nick Daws (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Nicholas "Nick" Daws is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder
from 1986 until 2004 notably in the Football League for Bury
, Rotherham United
and Grimsby Town
. He is currently in the position of first team coach at Barnsley
.
, having made the transition from Non-League football to carve out a successful career in the Football League. He joined Altrincham from Flixton in October, 1987 as a 17-year-old and impressed the management with his performances in the reserves. These performances meant that he made his first-team debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup
semi-final defeat against Runcorn,which ended in a 1-4 defeat. Nicky ended his first season by scoring his first goal for the club in the last game of the season. Over the next two seasons he worked at establishing himself in the first team. For Altrincham he was ever-present during the 90/91 season when Altrincham came so close to regaining the Conference National
title.
Initially playing as a part time professional he enjoyed a successful first season which included a man of the match performance against Manchester United
in the English League Cup at Old Trafford
. The season ended in disappointment, when ankle surgery forced him to miss the Play-Off semi-final defeat to York City
. Following an injury effected 93/94 campaign, Daws signed a full-time contract with the Shakers and became an integral part of the clubs rise to the 2nd flight of English football. As one of the sides most consistent performers, the 94/95 season ended with Play-Off Final defeat to Chesterfield
at Wembley Stadium
. However success was to follow over the following two seasons with consecutive promotions that included a Division 2 Champions Medal and promotion to the 1st Division. Despite being one of the leagues minnows, Bury sustained their status for the next two years and it was during this time that Daws enhanced his reputation as an all action midfielder. Following relegation to Division 2, Daws was appointed Captain, but due to financial problems at Bury, they struggled to maintain a promotion challenge. On 26 February 2000 and following 223 consecutive appearances suspension ended Daws' run which encompassed two promotions over 4 and a half years. The 00/01 season proved to the last of his 9 years at Gigg Lane
and in July, a move to the newly promoted Rotherham United gave Nick the chance to return to the Championship, signing a 3 year contract.
. Daws wast to remain at United for the next four seasons for the club, and just over 70 league appearances in his three seasons with United, scoring twice. In September 2003 and January 2004, Daws was loaned out to Grimsby Town
where he made a total of 18 appearances combining both spells. Daws returned from Blundell Park
at the end of the 2003-2004 season, but failed to save Grimsby from relegation. He remained with Rotherham for the 2004-2005 season, but failed to make a single appearance. He would eventually retire in the summer of 2005, his final professional game was a 3-0 away defeat against Wrexham
on March 6, 2004 whilst playing for Grimsby.
. Having graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BSc in Sport Science, he became Fitness Coach under Ronnie Moore, remaining in the same position under Mick Harford. The 2005/06 season saw him complete the prestigious FA Fitness Trainers Award. Following the appointment of Alan Knill, Daws became First Team Coach and remained at the club following Knill's departure to assist Mark Robins. Having gained his UEFA A Licence and following 2 successful campaigns, Daws joined Barnsley
in the same role, when Rotherham manager Mark Robins
was appointed the same position at Oakwell. In accordance to this happening, Robins took his entire coaching staff including Daws, to his new club. In March 2010, Daws began studying for his UEFA Pro Licence.
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
from 1986 until 2004 notably in the Football League for Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
, 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...
and 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...
. He is currently in the position of first team coach at 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...
.
Altrincham
Nick Daws is arguably one of the more successful players to come from AltrinchamAltrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
, having made the transition from Non-League football to carve out a successful career in the Football League. He joined Altrincham from Flixton in October, 1987 as a 17-year-old and impressed the management with his performances in the reserves. These performances meant that he made his first-team debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup
Cheshire Senior Cup
The Cheshire County Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the Cheshire Senior Cup, is a football knockout tournament founded in the 1879–80 season and involves teams from Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, England. It is the County Cup competition of the Cheshire FA and...
semi-final defeat against Runcorn,which ended in a 1-4 defeat. Nicky ended his first season by scoring his first goal for the club in the last game of the season. Over the next two seasons he worked at establishing himself in the first team. For Altrincham he was ever-present during the 90/91 season when Altrincham came so close to regaining 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...
title.
Bury
In August 1992, Daws joined the professional ranks with a move to BuryBury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
Initially playing as a part time professional he enjoyed a successful first season which included a man of the match performance against 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...
in the English League Cup at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
. The season ended in disappointment, when ankle surgery forced him to miss the Play-Off semi-final defeat to 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...
. Following an injury effected 93/94 campaign, Daws signed a full-time contract with the Shakers and became an integral part of the clubs rise to the 2nd flight of English football. As one of the sides most consistent performers, the 94/95 season ended with Play-Off Final defeat to 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...
at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. However success was to follow over the following two seasons with consecutive promotions that included a Division 2 Champions Medal and promotion to the 1st Division. Despite being one of the leagues minnows, Bury sustained their status for the next two years and it was during this time that Daws enhanced his reputation as an all action midfielder. Following relegation to Division 2, Daws was appointed Captain, but due to financial problems at Bury, they struggled to maintain a promotion challenge. On 26 February 2000 and following 223 consecutive appearances suspension ended Daws' run which encompassed two promotions over 4 and a half years. The 00/01 season proved to the last of his 9 years at Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Bury, Greater Manchester, England. Historically within Lancashire, it was built for Bury F.C. in 1885, and has been their home ever since.-History:...
and in July, a move to the newly promoted Rotherham United gave Nick the chance to return to the Championship, signing a 3 year contract.
Rotherham United
Daws signed for The Millers on a free transfer at the start of the 2001-2002 campaign and slotted straight into his usual position, playing under his new manager Ronnie MooreRonnie Moore
Ronald David "Ronnie" Moore is an English football manager and former player. He is considered one of the greatest Rotherham United players of all time, and is also considered the best manager Rotherham United have ever had, becoming a club legend. and went on to manage the Millers for seven years...
. Daws wast to remain at United for the next four seasons for the club, and just over 70 league appearances in his three seasons with United, scoring twice. In September 2003 and January 2004, Daws was loaned out to 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...
where he made a total of 18 appearances combining both spells. Daws returned from Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
at the end of the 2003-2004 season, but failed to save Grimsby from relegation. He remained with Rotherham for the 2004-2005 season, but failed to make a single appearance. He would eventually retire in the summer of 2005, his final professional game was a 3-0 away defeat against Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
on March 6, 2004 whilst playing for Grimsby.
Coaching career
Following his retirement from playing in 2005, Daws joined the coaching staff at Rotherham UnitedRotherham 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...
. Having graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BSc in Sport Science, he became Fitness Coach under Ronnie Moore, remaining in the same position under Mick Harford. The 2005/06 season saw him complete the prestigious FA Fitness Trainers Award. Following the appointment of Alan Knill, Daws became First Team Coach and remained at the club following Knill's departure to assist Mark Robins. Having gained his UEFA A Licence and following 2 successful campaigns, Daws joined 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...
in the same role, when Rotherham manager Mark Robins
Mark Robins
Mark Gordon Robins is an English football manager, appointed manager of Barnsley in 2009.As a player, he was most notable for his exploits with Manchester United, Norwich City and Leicester City...
was appointed the same position at Oakwell. In accordance to this happening, Robins took his entire coaching staff including Daws, to his new club. In March 2010, Daws began studying for his UEFA Pro Licence.