Jim McNichol
Encyclopedia
Jim McNichol is a Scottish former footballer who is most noted for his career at Torquay United
and Exeter City
.
McNichol joined Luton Town in July 1976. He later played for Brentford
, before moving on to Exeter City
. In July 1986 he joined Torquay United
. On 9 May 1987 Torquay were heading out of the Football League
, 2-0 down to Crewe Alexandra
at half-time on the last game of the season, they needed two more goals to ensure survival - McNichol, Paul Dobson
and a German shepherd
called Bryn saved the day for Torquay. McNichol scored from a free-kick, then in the dying moments ran to the corner flag to whip in a cross, little realizing his run would confuse the police dog into thinking he was about to attack his handler. The dog bit McNichol on the leg and the player had to be treated, during the minutes added on due to the injury Dobson scored and Lincoln City
were the ones to lose their league status on goal difference.
McNichol was appointed captain and led the club to the Football League Trophy
final in 1989, before returning to Exeter in August 1989. He helped City take the Football League Fourth Division
title in 1989-90, before he made the switch from Exeter to Torquay a second time in July 1991. After leaving the Gulls he later played for Torrington
. Once retired he became a publican
, operating The Exeter Inn in Ashburton
.
with Exeter City
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
and Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
.
Playing career
An apprentice at Ipswich TownIpswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
McNichol joined Luton Town in July 1976. He later played for Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
, before moving on to Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
. In July 1986 he joined Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
. On 9 May 1987 Torquay were heading out of 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...
, 2-0 down to Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
at half-time on the last game of the season, they needed two more goals to ensure survival - McNichol, Paul Dobson
Paul Dobson (footballer)
Paul Dobson is an English former professional football player. He was a prolific striker in the lower leagues during the 1980s and early 1990s, notably for Torquay United....
and a German shepherd
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog , also known as an Alsatian or just the German Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding Group, the German Shepherd is a working dog...
called Bryn saved the day for Torquay. McNichol scored from a free-kick, then in the dying moments ran to the corner flag to whip in a cross, little realizing his run would confuse the police dog into thinking he was about to attack his handler. The dog bit McNichol on the leg and the player had to be treated, during the minutes added on due to the injury Dobson scored and 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....
were the ones to lose their league status on goal difference.
McNichol was appointed captain and led the club to the 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 in 1989, before returning to Exeter in August 1989. He helped City take the Football League Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
title in 1989-90, before he made the switch from Exeter to Torquay a second time in July 1991. After leaving the Gulls he later played for Torrington
Torrington F.C.
Torrington F.C. are a football club based in Great Torrington, Devon, England.Torrington's home shirt is green with white hoops, which is worn with white shorts and green and green socks with white hoops. Their away shirt is yellow with blue stripes down the arms, which is worn with blue shorts and...
. Once retired he became a publican
Publican
In antiquity, publicans were public contractors, in which role they often supplied the Roman legions and military, managed the collection of port duties, and oversaw public building projects...
, operating The Exeter Inn in Ashburton
Ashburton, Devon
Ashburton is a small town on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, adjacent to the A38 Devon Expressway.It was formerly important as a stannary town , and remains the largest town within the National Park, with a population of around 3,500...
.
Honours
with Torquay United- Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe 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...
runner-up: 1989
with Exeter City
- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
champion: 1989-90