Nicky Nicolau
Encyclopedia
Nicky George Nicolau is a footballer who plays for Lincoln City
as a midfielder
.
, Greater London
, Nicolau started his career with Arsenal
, winning the FA Youth Cup
in 2001, but never broke into the first team after spending 10 years at the club
on loan, making his Football League debut two days later in the club's 2-1 victory at Carlisle United
. Having impressed in his loan spell, in May 2004 he agreed a one-year contract to join the club on a permanent basis. In the 2004–05
season, Nicolau helped Southend reach a second consecutive Football League Trophy
final, and win promotion from League Two
via the playoffs he was offered a new one-year contract with the club. However, he turned the offer down hoping to improve the terms of the offer which were at the same rate of pay as his previous contract. After five weeks of impasse, Southend United
withdrew the offer and Nicolau signed for Swindon Town
the following day. He had a loan spell at Hereford United
where he made 11 appearances, scoring 1 goal and was released by Swindon at the end of the 2005–06
season.
Nicolau spent the following season at Barnet
, and was released by the club after one season, before manager Paul Fairclough
changed his mind and decided to offer Nicolau a new contract. He left the club at the end of the 2007–08 season after turning down a new contract. After a trial at Brighton & Hove Albion
, he moved on trial with Grimsby Town
in August 2008 and played in a behind closed doors friendly against Winterton Rangers
but despite impressing in the game, manager Alan Buckley
decided to let Nicolau leave the club the following day. Nicolau re-signed for the Bees in September 2008, turning down an offer from Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus
as he would have to complete national service
, before leaving the club for a third time at the end of the season.
In September 2009 he joined Woking
on a non-contract basis, before signing a contract until the end of the season shortly after. In August 2010, he signed for Dover Athletic
of the Conference South
, before joining Boreham Wood
in November.
On 12 July 2011, he signed a one year contract with Lincoln City
.
Southend United:
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
as a midfielder
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...
.
Early career
Born in Camden TownCamden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
, Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
, Nicolau started his career with Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, winning 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...
in 2001, but never broke into the first team after spending 10 years at the club
Career
On 25 March 2004 he joined Southend UnitedSouthend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
on loan, making his Football League debut two days later in the club's 2-1 victory at 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....
. Having impressed in his loan spell, in May 2004 he agreed a one-year contract to join the club on a permanent basis. In the 2004–05
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
season, Nicolau helped Southend reach a second consecutive Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
final, and win promotion from 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....
via the playoffs he was offered a new one-year contract with the club. However, he turned the offer down hoping to improve the terms of the offer which were at the same rate of pay as his previous contract. After five weeks of impasse, Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
withdrew the offer and Nicolau signed for Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
the following day. He had a loan spell at Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
where he made 11 appearances, scoring 1 goal and was released by Swindon at 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.
Nicolau spent the following season at Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
, and was released by the club after one season, before 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...
changed his mind and decided to offer Nicolau a new contract. He left the club at the end of the 2007–08 season after turning down a new contract. After a trial at Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, he moved on trial with 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...
in August 2008 and played in a behind closed doors friendly against Winterton Rangers
Winterton Rangers F.C.
Winterton Rangers F.C. are a football club based in Winterton, England. They play in the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division.-History:...
but despite impressing in the game, manager Alan Buckley
Alan Buckley
Alan Peter Buckley is an English football manager. He was manager of League Two side Grimsby Town until his dismissal in September 2008...
decided to let Nicolau leave the club the following day. Nicolau re-signed for the Bees in September 2008, turning down an offer from Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
as he would have to complete national service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
, before leaving the club for a third time at the end of the season.
In September 2009 he joined Woking
Woking F.C.
Woking Football Club is a football club from in Woking, Surrey, England, formed in 1889. They are playing in the Conference South in the 2011–12 season. For the 2011/2012 season, Woking are sharing their ground with Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United.-Promotion to the...
on a non-contract basis, before signing a contract until the end of the season shortly after. In August 2010, he signed for Dover Athletic
Dover Athletic F.C.
Dover Athletic Football Club is an association football team based in the town of Dover, Kent, England. The club was formed in 1983 after the dissolution of the town's previous club, Dover, whose place in the Southern League was taken by the new club...
of the Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
, before joining Boreham Wood
Boreham Wood F.C.
Boreham Wood F.C. are a football club based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, at Meadow Park football ground. They were established in 1948, and have reached the FA Cup 2nd Round proper twice in their history. For 2011-12 they will play in Conference South...
in November.
On 12 July 2011, he signed a one year contract with Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
.
Honours
Arsenal:- FA Youth CupFA Youth CupThe 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...
Winner: 2001
Southend United:
- League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
(IV): Playoffs 2005