Peter Nicholas (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Peter Nicholas is a Welsh
former professional footballer and Wales
international, now football manager.
He was capped 73 times at senior level for Wales between 1979 and 1991.
and his first professional club was Crystal Palace
, with whom he began in 1976
as a youth player. He spent five seasons at Selhurst Park
, and played over 150 matches for the Eagles, picking up the Second Division
title up in 1978-79
. In the meantime he had made his debut for Wales
, and would go on to win 73 caps for his country, scoring 2 goals. Originally a centre half, he later was moved forward into midfield
and became known as a tough-tackling and uncompromising defensive midfielder.
in March 1981 for £500,000, shortly before Palace's relegation back to the Second Division. At Arsenal, Nicholas went straight into the first team and didn't finish on a losing side for the rest of the 1980-81
season. He made 41 appearances the next season, and became captain of Wales as well. However, a series of injuries in the 1982-83
season meant his place in the Arsenal side became uncertain. In all, he played 80 matches for Arsenal, scoring three goals.
in 1985. He played over 100 games for the Hatters and his form noticeably improved.
for £350,000 in 1987. In 1987-88
, he reached the Scottish League Cup
final, against Rangers
; the match finished 3-3 and Nicholas missed a penalty in the ensuing shootout
, which meant Aberdeen went home empty-handed.
(winning another Second Division winners' medal), and Watford
before retiring in 1993.
After retirement, he became Chelsea's youth coach, before returning to his old club Crystal Palace to take the same role there. He was later promoted to assistant manager at Palace, before being appointed manager of League of Wales side Barry Town
, where he won the title in 2001. He was also manager of Newport County
from 2002 until 2004 and led them to the 2003 FAW Premier Cup
final. From August 2005 to April 2009 he was manager of Llanelli
and won the Welsh Premier League title in 2008. He was replaced by Andy Legg
in April 2009.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
former professional footballer and Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
international, now football manager.
He was capped 73 times at senior level for Wales between 1979 and 1991.
Crystal Palace
Nicholas was born in NewportNewport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
and his first professional club was Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, with whom he began in 1976
1976-77 in English football
The 1976–77 season was the 97th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The Football League revamped the tie-breaking criteria for teams level of points, replacing the traditional goal average tie-breaker with one based on goal difference to try to encourage more scoring...
as a youth player. He spent five seasons at Selhurst Park
Selhurst Park
Selhurst Park is an English football stadium located in the London suburb of South Norwood in the Borough of Croydon. It is the current home ground of Crystal Palace Football Club. Its present capacity is 26,309.-History:...
, and played over 150 matches for the Eagles, picking up the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
title up in 1978-79
1978-79 in English football
-FA Cup:Manchester United had seemingly pulled off a remarkable comeback against Arsenal in the 1979 FA Cup Final to make the score 2–2 after being two goals down, but a last-minute goal from Alan Sunderland saw Arsenal lift the trophy with a 3–2 scoreline...
. In the meantime he had made his debut for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
, and would go on to win 73 caps for his country, scoring 2 goals. Originally a centre half, he later was moved forward into midfield
Midfield
Midfield is the part of a sports pitch that lies approximately in the center. It is a term most commonly associated with football to refer to the area in and around the center circle, as well as the players who occupy that region, but it can be used in field hockey to describe the same area, or in...
and became known as a tough-tackling and uncompromising defensive midfielder.
Arsenal
However, despite his best efforts the Eagles could not sustain their place in the top flight and Nicholas was sold to ArsenalArsenal 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...
in March 1981 for £500,000, shortly before Palace's relegation back to the Second Division. At Arsenal, Nicholas went straight into the first team and didn't finish on a losing side for the rest of the 1980-81
1980-81 in English football
The 1980–81 season was the 101st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The Football League introduced a three points for a win system in place of the two points for a win system which had operated since the league's formation in 1889...
season. He made 41 appearances the next season, and became captain of Wales as well. However, a series of injuries in the 1982-83
1982-83 in English football
The 1982–83 season was the 103rd season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Bob Paisley's last season as Liverpool manager ended on a high as they topped the First Division with a comfortable lead. Bob Paisley retired as Liverpool manager with a record 21 prizes in nine years. His...
season meant his place in the Arsenal side became uncertain. In all, he played 80 matches for Arsenal, scoring three goals.
Return to Crystal Palace
Looking for first team football, he returned to Palace on loan in August 1983 and at the end of that season the move was made permanent for £150,000. However, his second spell at Palace was not as successful, and he signed for Luton TownLuton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
in 1985. He played over 100 games for the Hatters and his form noticeably improved.
Aberdeen
He was signed by AberdeenAberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
for £350,000 in 1987. In 1987-88
1987-88 in Scottish football
The 1987–88 season was the 91st season of competitive football in Scotland.-Notable events:Billy McNeill's second spell back in charge of Celtic began in style as they finished the season by winning the double of the league title and Scottish Cup...
, he reached the Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
final, against Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
; the match finished 3-3 and Nicholas missed a penalty in the ensuing shootout
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...
, which meant Aberdeen went home empty-handed.
Later career
He later had spells with ChelseaChelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
(winning another Second Division winners' medal), and Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
before retiring in 1993.
After retirement, he became Chelsea's youth coach, before returning to his old club Crystal Palace to take the same role there. He was later promoted to assistant manager at Palace, before being appointed manager of League of Wales side Barry Town
Barry Town F.C.
Barry Town FC are a football team based in Barry. They dominated the League of Wales during the 1990s, but finished bottom in 2003-04 and were relegated...
, where he won the title in 2001. He was also manager of Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
from 2002 until 2004 and led them to the 2003 FAW Premier Cup
FAW Premier Cup
The FAW Premier Cup is a defunct Welsh football cup competition, organised annually by the Football Association of Wales from 1997 to 2008...
final. From August 2005 to April 2009 he was manager of Llanelli
Llanelli A.F.C.
Llanelli Association Football Club is a Welsh semi-professional football club that plays in the Welsh Premier League for the 2010–11 season. The team has been based at Stebonheath Park since 1920, and as of 2009 is managed by Andy Legg....
and won the Welsh Premier League title in 2008. He was replaced by Andy Legg
Andy Legg
Andrew "Andy" Legg is a Welsh footballer and Wales international who is currently player-manager of Welsh Premier League side Llanelli. He has previously played for Swansea City, Notts County, Birmingham City, Ipswich Town, Reading, Peterborough United, Cardiff City and Newport County...
in April 2009.
Player
Crystal Palace- 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: 1
-
- 1978FA Youth Cup Finals of the 1970s-1978/79: Millwall v. Manchester City :-1977/78: Crystal Palace v. Aston Villa :-1976/77: Crystal Palace v. Everton :...
- 1978
Manager
Llanelli- Welsh Premier League Winner: 1
-
- 2007–08
- Welsh League CupWelsh League CupThe Welsh League Cup is a cup competition in Welsh football organised by the Welsh Premier League...
Winner: 1
- Welsh League Cup
- 2008
- 2007–08