Alan Nicholls
Encyclopedia
Alan Nicholls was an English
football
goalkeeper.
Alan started his career as a trainee at Wolverhampton Wanderers
but never made the first team. He later played for non-league clubs Cradley Town
and Cheltenham Town
, before returning to the professional ranks when he was signed by Peter Shilton
, who was then manager of Plymouth Argyle
, for £15,000 before the start of the 1993/94 season. During his time at Plymouth, Alan's form was so impressive that Shilton was forced to play him - even though Shilton was himself chasing the 1,000 league appearances record. After his first season in professional football, Alan was called up to the England Under-21 team
and played in the Toulon Tournament
in the summer of 1994.
In his two years at Plymouth, Nicholls played 79 games for the club, gaining a reputation as a brilliant but larger-than-life footballer who was often in trouble off the pitch. After Shilton left Plymouth, Nicholls struggled with injuries and clashed with new manager Neil Warnock
- who was keen to bring his own players into the club.
In 1995, Nicholls was released by Warnock after a series of off-the-pitch indiscretions. He subsequently moved to Gillingham
, and was technically still on trial at Priestfield Stadium
when Stalybridge Celtic
contacted the club to ask if they could borrow him to cover a suspension.
On 25 November 1995, Alan played for Stalybridge in a 3-1 win at Dover Athletic
. After the game, Alan left with his friend Scott Lindsey, and Scott's brother, Matthew, and their father. Alan travelled in the car with Scott and his father, while Matthew followed on his motorbike. About an hour into their journey, Alan offered to travel on the back of Matthew's motorbike to keep him company. Soon afterwards, Matthew lost control of the bike near Peterborough
and careered off the road. Alan and Matthew were killed instantly.
Alan is buried in the grounds of St Paul's Church, Blackheath. The Three Lions emblem of the England national team is engraved on his headstone, as well as an action shot of him in goal.
In a 2007 web poll, Alan Nicholls was named Plymouth Argyle's second-best goalkeeper of all time, behind Jim Furnell, and is still remembered fondly by Plymouth fans.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
goalkeeper.
Alan started his career as a trainee at 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...
but never made the first team. He later played for non-league clubs Cradley Town
Cradley Town F.C.
Cradley Town Football Club is a football club based in Halesowen, near Dudley, in the West Midlands.-History:The club was originally formed in 1970 as Albion Haden United following a merger between Haden Rangers and Albion Rovers, changing its name in 1975.In 1971 the club joined the Midland...
and Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
, before returning to the professional ranks when he was signed by Peter Shilton
Peter Shilton
Peter Leslie Shilton OBE is a former English footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He currently holds the record for playing more games for England than anyone else, earning 125 caps....
, who was then manager of Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, for £15,000 before the start of the 1993/94 season. During his time at Plymouth, Alan's form was so impressive that Shilton was forced to play him - even though Shilton was himself chasing the 1,000 league appearances record. After his first season in professional football, Alan was called up to the England Under-21 team
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
and played in the Toulon Tournament
Toulon Tournament
The Toulon Tournament is a football tournament which traditionally features invited national teams composed of under-21 players, although the first tournament in 1967 featured club teams...
in the summer of 1994.
In his two years at Plymouth, Nicholls played 79 games for the club, gaining a reputation as a brilliant but larger-than-life footballer who was often in trouble off the pitch. After Shilton left Plymouth, Nicholls struggled with injuries and clashed with new manager Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock
Neil Warnock is an English former footballer who is currently manager of English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers....
- who was keen to bring his own players into the club.
In 1995, Nicholls was released by Warnock after a series of off-the-pitch indiscretions. He subsequently moved to Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
, and was technically still on trial at Priestfield Stadium
Priestfield Stadium
Priestfield Stadium is a football stadium in Gillingham, Kent...
when Stalybridge Celtic
Stalybridge Celtic F.C.
Stalybridge Celtic are an English full time professional football club from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester in North West England. The club, which plays its home matches at Bower Fold, is currently in the Conference North in the sixth tier of the English football league system...
contacted the club to ask if they could borrow him to cover a suspension.
On 25 November 1995, Alan played for Stalybridge in a 3-1 win at 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...
. After the game, Alan left with his friend Scott Lindsey, and Scott's brother, Matthew, and their father. Alan travelled in the car with Scott and his father, while Matthew followed on his motorbike. About an hour into their journey, Alan offered to travel on the back of Matthew's motorbike to keep him company. Soon afterwards, Matthew lost control of the bike near Peterborough
Peterborough
Peterborough is a cathedral city and unitary authority area in the East of England, with an estimated population of in June 2007. For ceremonial purposes it is in the county of Cambridgeshire. Situated north of London, the city stands on the River Nene which flows into the North Sea...
and careered off the road. Alan and Matthew were killed instantly.
Alan is buried in the grounds of St Paul's Church, Blackheath. The Three Lions emblem of the England national team is engraved on his headstone, as well as an action shot of him in goal.
In a 2007 web poll, Alan Nicholls was named Plymouth Argyle's second-best goalkeeper of all time, behind Jim Furnell, and is still remembered fondly by Plymouth fans.