Tom Nicol
Encyclopedia
Thomas H. "Tom" Nicol was a Scottish footballer who played for Burnley
first as a centre forward and then as a full back in the 1890s, before later becoming a bowls
champion in Southampton
.
and after playing local football in Scotland with Mossend Swifts, he was one of several Scottish players recruited by Burnley
. For his Burnley debut on 7 March 1891 he replaced leading scorer Claude Lambie
, who had returned to Scotland, and scored a hat-trick in a 6-2 victory over Preston North End
. Preston had won the Football League
in each of the two preceding years, but the defeat at Turf Moor
resulted in them finishing the 1890–91 as runners-up, two points behind Everton
.
In 1891 a team representing Canada
embarked on an extensive tour of Britain, playing over twenty games against both club and national teams. The game against Burnley took place on 31 October 1891 at Turf Moor, and at the time Burnley were lying eighth in the Football League. Despite fielding England
goalkeeper Jack Hillman
, Burnley were held to a 2-2 draw, even though Nicol twice giving Burnley the lead.
A few weeks later, Nicol was one of three goal-scorers in a 3–0 victory over Blackburn Rovers
, this being the first league victory for Burnley against their local rivals, ensuring that his name would be entered "in any (Burnley) hall of fame". The match on 12 December 1891 was played in terrible conditions, having snowed for more than two hours before kick-off. Nicol forced the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble ensued from James Matthew
's cross, with only seven minutes on the clock. Nicol was also involved in the build-up to the second goal, scored by Hugh Galbraith
, while the third was scored by Billy Bowes
after 35 minutes, although Rovers' goalkeeper, Herby Arthur
contested the goal, claiming that the ball had not crossed the line. Rovers were reluctant to come out for the second half, in which they would be playing into the wind, and only seven players appeared for the re-start. After Burnley's captain, Alex Stewart, and Blackburn's Joe Lofthouse
had been sent off for fighting, the remaining Rovers players, with the exception of goalkeeper Arthur, walked off the pitch in protest. After a few farcical minutes, when Burnley's scored a "goal" which was disallowed as offside, the referee, Charles Clegg, abandoned the match with the scoreline at 3–0.
On 9 January 1892, Nicol and fellow forward Alex McLardie both scored hat-trick
s in a 9–0 victory over Darwen
. For the 1891–92 season, Nicol was Burnley's top scorer, with 17 goals from 25 league appearances as they finished seventh in the table.
For the next two seasons, Nicol played at right-back before moving forward to outside-right for the 1894–95 season. Nicol again found his goal-scoring form and was the club's top-scorer for the season with 11 league goals from 22 appearances. He made a further contribution of eight goals in the 1895–96 season including a hat-trick in a 6–0 defeat of Blackburn Rovers
on 13 April 1886.
The following November, Nicol joined Burnley's arch-rivals, Blackburn Rovers; in his 5 full seasons with Burnley he made a total of 150 appearances, scoring 45 goals.
Southampton
in the 1897 close season.
; their defensive prowess helped Southampton to retain their Southern League title, conceding only 18 goals from 22 matches. He made his debut on 2 October 1897, with Samuel Meston
moving forward to right-half to accommodate him, thus displacing John McMillan
, who had been ever-present in the previous season. The Saints also reached the 1898 FA Cup semi-final, where they were defeated by Nottingham Forest
in rather controversial circumstances after goalkeeper George Clawley
had his eyes "choked with snow" and conceded two goals in the final minutes of the game.
Nicol was "completely fearless, even reckless (and) usually won the ball irrespective of obstacles" and became "one of the finest backs ever to don the cherry and white shirt". Injury resulted in him losing his place to Peter Durber
in October 1898, although he did make two appearances at outside-left later that season (replacing Tom Smith
), in which the Saints claimed the championship for the third consecutive season.
He retired at the end of the 1898–99 season, having made 37 appearances for Southampton, scoring twice.
and later took over a pub in Portsmouth
.
player of some repute and in 1907 he became a "knight" by winning the 133rd annual championship at the Southampton Old Bowling Green
, which is the world's oldest surviving bowling green
having been first used in 1299.
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
first as a centre forward and then as a full back in the 1890s, before later becoming a bowls
Bowls
Bowls is a sport in which the objective is to roll slightly asymmetric balls so that they stop close to a smaller "jack" or "kitty". It is played on a pitch which may be flat or convex or uneven...
champion in Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
.
Burnley
Nicol was born in Whitburn, West LothianWhitburn, West Lothian
Whitburn is a small town in West Lothian, Scotland located halfway between Scotlands's two largest cities being about east of Glasgow and west of Edinburgh...
and after playing local football in Scotland with Mossend Swifts, he was one of several Scottish players recruited by Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
. For his Burnley debut on 7 March 1891 he replaced leading scorer Claude Lambie
Claude Lambie
Claude Lambie was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a centre forward. He had two spells in the Football League with Burnley in the late 19th century, as well as playing in the Scottish Football League with Clyde...
, who had returned to Scotland, and scored a hat-trick in a 6-2 victory over Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. Preston had won the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
in each of the two preceding years, but the defeat at Turf Moor
Turf Moor
Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of...
resulted in them finishing the 1890–91 as runners-up, two points behind Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
.
In 1891 a team representing Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
embarked on an extensive tour of Britain, playing over twenty games against both club and national teams. The game against Burnley took place on 31 October 1891 at Turf Moor, and at the time Burnley were lying eighth in the Football League. Despite fielding England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
goalkeeper Jack Hillman
Jack Hillman
Jack Hillman was an English football goalkeeper who played for Burnley, Everton, Dundee, Manchester City and Millwall.-Career:...
, Burnley were held to a 2-2 draw, even though Nicol twice giving Burnley the lead.
A few weeks later, Nicol was one of three goal-scorers in a 3–0 victory over Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
, this being the first league victory for Burnley against their local rivals, ensuring that his name would be entered "in any (Burnley) hall of fame". The match on 12 December 1891 was played in terrible conditions, having snowed for more than two hours before kick-off. Nicol forced the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble ensued from James Matthew
James Matthew
James Matthew was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a centre half. He played in the Football League for Burnley and Accrington.-References:...
's cross, with only seven minutes on the clock. Nicol was also involved in the build-up to the second goal, scored by Hugh Galbraith
Hugh Galbraith
Hugh Galbraith was a Scottish footballer, most notable as a player for Luton Town.-Career:Galbraith started his career in England with Accrington in 1888, where he spent a season. He then spent one-year spells with Bootle, Middlesbrough Ironopolis and Burnley before arriving at Luton Town in 1892...
, while the third was scored by Billy Bowes
Billy Bowes
William "Billy" Bowes was a Scottish professional footballer who played as an inside forward.-References:...
after 35 minutes, although Rovers' goalkeeper, Herby Arthur
Herby Arthur
William John Herbert Arthur, known as Herby Arthur was an English football player who played for Blackburn Rovers, as well as the English national side.-External links:*...
contested the goal, claiming that the ball had not crossed the line. Rovers were reluctant to come out for the second half, in which they would be playing into the wind, and only seven players appeared for the re-start. After Burnley's captain, Alex Stewart, and Blackburn's Joe Lofthouse
Joe Lofthouse
Joseph Morris "Joe" Lofthouse was an English footballer.-Playing career:Joseph Lofthouse was born in Blackburn on 14 April 1865. A talented footballer he joined Blackburn Rovers...
had been sent off for fighting, the remaining Rovers players, with the exception of goalkeeper Arthur, walked off the pitch in protest. After a few farcical minutes, when Burnley's scored a "goal" which was disallowed as offside, the referee, Charles Clegg, abandoned the match with the scoreline at 3–0.
On 9 January 1892, Nicol and fellow forward Alex McLardie both scored hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
s in a 9–0 victory over Darwen
Darwen F.C.
A.F.C. Darwen is a football club from Darwen in Lancashire, North West England. The team, formed in 1870 as Darwen F.C., currently play in the Division One of the North West Counties League. They play their home games at the Anchor Ground.-History:...
. For the 1891–92 season, Nicol was Burnley's top scorer, with 17 goals from 25 league appearances as they finished seventh in the table.
For the next two seasons, Nicol played at right-back before moving forward to outside-right for the 1894–95 season. Nicol again found his goal-scoring form and was the club's top-scorer for the season with 11 league goals from 22 appearances. He made a further contribution of eight goals in the 1895–96 season including a hat-trick in a 6–0 defeat of Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
on 13 April 1886.
The following November, Nicol joined Burnley's arch-rivals, Blackburn Rovers; in his 5 full seasons with Burnley he made a total of 150 appearances, scoring 45 goals.
Blackburn Rovers
Nicol stayed with Blackburn Rovers until the end of the 1896–97 season, scoring twice from 19 league and cup appearances, before moving to the south coast to join Southern LeagueSouthern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in the 1897 close season.
Southampton
At the "Saints", Nicol reverted to the right-back position lining up alongside Harry HaynesHarry Haynes
Harry Haynes was an English footballer who played as a full back for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Small Heath and Southampton in the 1890s.-Midlands:...
; their defensive prowess helped Southampton to retain their Southern League title, conceding only 18 goals from 22 matches. He made his debut on 2 October 1897, with Samuel Meston
Samuel Meston
Samuel Meston was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a half-back for Stoke and Southampton. Whilst with Southampton, he appeared in two FA Cup Finals and won six Southern League championship medals and was the only player ever to do so.-Playing career:Meston was born in Arbroath and...
moving forward to right-half to accommodate him, thus displacing John McMillan
John McMillan (footballer born 1865)
John McMillan was a Scottish professional footballer who played at half-back for Heart of Midlothian and Southampton in the 1890s.-Football career:...
, who had been ever-present in the previous season. The Saints also reached the 1898 FA Cup semi-final, where they were defeated by Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in rather controversial circumstances after goalkeeper George Clawley
George Clawley
George Clawley was an English professional goalkeeper who played for Stoke, Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries...
had his eyes "choked with snow" and conceded two goals in the final minutes of the game.
Nicol was "completely fearless, even reckless (and) usually won the ball irrespective of obstacles" and became "one of the finest backs ever to don the cherry and white shirt". Injury resulted in him losing his place to Peter Durber
Peter Durber
Peter Durber was a professional footballer who played in the 1900 FA Cup final for Southampton, beating three First division clubs along the way.-Career:...
in October 1898, although he did make two appearances at outside-left later that season (replacing Tom Smith
Tom Smith (footballer born 1877)
Thomas "Tom" Smith was a professional English footballer who played at outside-right for various clubs around the turn of the 20th century.-Football career:...
), in which the Saints claimed the championship for the third consecutive season.
He retired at the end of the 1898–99 season, having made 37 appearances for Southampton, scoring twice.
After football
On his retirement, he became the landlord of the Kingsland Tavern in St Mary's Street. He sold the pub in 1901 to another Southampton footballer, Harry BrownHarry Brown (footballer born 1883)
Henry "Harry" Brown was an English footballer who played as an inside forward for various clubs in the early part of the twentieth century, including West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United, Fulham and Southampton...
and later took over a pub in Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
.
Bowls
Nicol became a bowlsBowls
Bowls is a sport in which the objective is to roll slightly asymmetric balls so that they stop close to a smaller "jack" or "kitty". It is played on a pitch which may be flat or convex or uneven...
player of some repute and in 1907 he became a "knight" by winning the 133rd annual championship at the Southampton Old Bowling Green
Southampton Old Bowling Green
Southampton Old Bowling Green, situated on the corner of Lower Canal Walk and Platform Road, Southampton, England is the world's oldest surviving bowling green having been first used in 1299.-History:...
, which is the world's oldest surviving bowling green
Bowling green
A bowling green is a finely-laid, close-mown and rolled stretch of lawn for playing the game of lawn bowls.Before 1830, when Edwin Beard Budding invented the lawnmower, lawns were often kept cropped by grazing sheep on them...
having been first used in 1299.
Honours
SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
- Southern LeagueSouthern Football LeagueThe Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
championship: 1897–98 and 1898–99