Kevin Nicholls
Encyclopedia
Kevin John Richard Nicholls (born 2 January 1979) is an English former footballer who played in midfield. He is currently a coach
at Conference National
side Rushden & Diamonds
.
He most recently played for Luton Town
, a club where he spent eight years at in two separate spells. At the beginning of his second stint at Luton in 2008, in which he dropped two divisions in order to play, Nicholls stated that his main motivation for returning was his love for the club. A long-term knee injury sustained in 2009 led to him volunteering to be released from his contract on 27 August 2010.
Nicholls is arguably one of Luton's most successful captains, having won two promotions and the Football League Trophy
during his tenure.
, Nicholls began his playing career at Charlton Athletic
, making his debut in the 1996–97 season as a substitute in a 2–1 loss to Ipswich Town
. After a serious knee injury ruled him out of most of the 1997–98 season, he failed to break into the team in 1998–99 season and was loaned to Brighton & Hove Albion
, who promptly sent him back after four games.
, then in the Second Division
, in the summer of 1999 for £250,000, rising to £650,000 based on appearances. In the 1999–2000 season he was injured on his Wigan debut in October and would not play again for another six months, making a total of just 8 appearances over the course of the campaign. Nicholls played in 26 games in the 2000–01 season, scoring his only goal for Wigan in the 2–1 defeat to Reading
in the play-off
semi-final.
signed Nicholls for Luton for a fee rising to £150,000. He was a pivotal player in Luton's promotion season
of 2001–02, becoming the club captain and playing in 42 games. At Luton, Nicholls managed for several seasons to avoid the injuries that dogged him at previous clubs and became the "heart and soul of the team" according to Kinnear. Unfortunately the 2003–04 season was not so good as he was again injured and missed 5 months. After the injury Kevin returned to his preferred central midfield position and contributed to Luton's very respectable 10th place finish.
In the 2004–05 season Nicholls was voted Player of the Year by the supporters as Luton won the League One
championship. It was Nicholls who lifted the championship trophy following their 4–2 victory against Brentford
in April. He scored 14 goals, most of which came, crucially at times, from the penalty spot.
Nicholls was a vital part of the Luton side that not only finished 10th in the Championship
in their first season, but in the match against Liverpool
in the FA Cup
, a game in which the Hatters went into a 3–1 lead courtesy of Nicholls, once again, with a penalty. The Hatters eventually fell short of the quality to see out the game, losing 5–3, but many of the players, such as Nicholls, who had spent the majority of their careers in the lower leagues, were now in the public eye.
for a fee of £700,000. In his first training session with Leeds, he damaged his knee ligaments but hoped to be back within 3 months. Nicholls' quick rehabilitation allowed him to make his debut for the club as a substitute in Leeds' match against Sunderland
on 13 September 2006, over a month before he was due back.
Nicholls picked up another injury on 30 September 2006 against West Bromwich Albion
, which kept him out until December. On 26 October 2006, he was made the new captain of Leeds United by new manager Dennis Wise
, with Shaun Derry
being appointed his deputy.
Nicholls returned from injury on 16 December 2006, starting in the 1–0 loss against Ipswich Town
. This was his first game as captain of Leeds and it ended with a red card in the dying minutes. Leeds manager, Dennis Wise, decided not to appeal against the decision, so Nicholls missed Leeds' following three matches over the Christmas period. Nicholls returned to the side once his suspension had been served in the 2–1 victory over Coventry City
.
On 3 March 2007, Nicholls was dropped for Leeds' home match against Sheffield Wednesday
. In his post-match interview, Wise stated that Nicholls had asked to leave the club and return to his former club Luton Town. However, Wise demanded that he would not allow Nicholls to return to Luton unless the original fee of £700,000 was to be paid back to Leeds. It was also stated that Nicholls had been stripped of the captaincy. He has since became somewhat of a hate figure amongst Leeds fans. He ended the season having made just 15 appearances in all competitions, with his last game for the club coming in late February.
for a fee of £750,000. He officially moved to Preston on 5 July 2007, due to Leeds' administration status forcing them to delay all trading until that date.
Nicholls' spell at Preston was initially successful. He was a regular under manager Paul Simpson
in the first few months of the season, but featured little following the arrival of new manager Alan Irvine, falling behind Paul McKenna, Darren Carter
and new signing Richard Chaplow
in the pecking order. On 2 August 2008, it was announced that Preston North End and Nicholls had come to an agreement to release him from his contract.
, stating he will always support Luton and loves the club. He returned as club captain, taking over from Keith Keane
. Nicholls missed much of the 2008-09 season as a result of recurring injury problems, but returned fully fit in the final run-in of games. On 24 March 2009, he was given a five game ban and £1,000 fine for supposedly applauding Luton fans for throwing missiles at the referee after a controversial 3–3 draw with Bradford City
.
On 5 April 2009, Nicholls captained Luton to a 3–2 victory over Scunthorpe United
at Wembley Stadium
in the Football League Trophy
final, picking up the man-of-the-match award for his performance in the heart of midfield. He played for Luton in their 0–0 draw with Chesterfield
on 13 April, which saw them lose their Football League
status and suffer relegation to the Football Conference
.
Despite a recurrence of his knee problem, Nicholls played in 23 league games during the 2009–10 season. It was later revealed by Luton director Gary Sweet that Nicholls had deliberately downplayed the seriousness of this injury in order to lead the team, "playing through excruciating pain and ultimately risking his long term health". Surgery on this knee in early March 2010 ruled Nicholls out for up to eight months. Ultimately, this injury proved to be the end of his Luton Town career. On 27 August 2010, he left the club by "respectful, mutual consent" after volunteering to be released from his contract, citing that he did not want to take money out of the club while not contributing on the pitch while recovering from surgery. In a club statement, managing director Gary Sweet branded Nicholls a Luton Town "legend" and "arguably the club's most successful captain".
that Nicholls had joined the coaching staff there. Rushden manager Justin Edinburgh
said of him: "He didn't feel his body could train and play anymore... I think he's got good knowledge and will probably give us a different perspective... the players will learn from him and I feel if I can give someone the opportunity it's the right thing to do."
team.
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
at Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Rushden & Diamonds
Rushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
.
He most recently played for Luton Town
Luton 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...
, a club where he spent eight years at in two separate spells. At the beginning of his second stint at Luton in 2008, in which he dropped two divisions in order to play, Nicholls stated that his main motivation for returning was his love for the club. A long-term knee injury sustained in 2009 led to him volunteering to be released from his contract on 27 August 2010.
Nicholls is arguably one of Luton's most successful captains, having won two promotions and 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...
during his tenure.
Charlton Athletic
Born in Upton Park, LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Nicholls began his playing career at Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
, making his debut in the 1996–97 season as a substitute in a 2–1 loss to Ipswich Town
Ipswich 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....
. After a serious knee injury ruled him out of most of the 1997–98 season, he failed to break into the team in 1998–99 season and was loaned to 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....
, who promptly sent him back after four games.
Wigan Athletic
After a short period back at Charlton, Nicholls was transferred to Wigan AthleticWigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
, then in 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...
, in the summer of 1999 for £250,000, rising to £650,000 based on appearances. In the 1999–2000 season he was injured on his Wigan debut in October and would not play again for another six months, making a total of just 8 appearances over the course of the campaign. Nicholls played in 26 games in the 2000–01 season, scoring his only goal for Wigan in the 2–1 defeat to Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
in the play-off
Football League Play-Offs
The Football League play-offs are an annual series of football matches to determine some of the promotion places within the Football League. Essentially, each division of the league offers a certain number of automatic promotion places to the top two or three clubs. A further promotion place is...
semi-final.
Luton Town
In the summer of 2001, Joe KinnearJoe Kinnear
Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kinnear is an Irish football manager and former player. He was most recently the manager of Newcastle United....
signed Nicholls for Luton for a fee rising to £150,000. He was a pivotal player in Luton's promotion season
Luton Town F.C. season 2001–02
The 2001–02 season was the 116th season in the history of Luton Town Football Club. The club's 22nd place finish in Division Two in 2000–01 meant they competed in Division Three for the first time in 33 years...
of 2001–02, becoming the club captain and playing in 42 games. At Luton, Nicholls managed for several seasons to avoid the injuries that dogged him at previous clubs and became the "heart and soul of the team" according to Kinnear. Unfortunately the 2003–04 season was not so good as he was again injured and missed 5 months. After the injury Kevin returned to his preferred central midfield position and contributed to Luton's very respectable 10th place finish.
In the 2004–05 season Nicholls was voted Player of the Year by the supporters as Luton won the League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
championship. It was Nicholls who lifted the championship trophy following their 4–2 victory against 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....
in April. He scored 14 goals, most of which came, crucially at times, from the penalty spot.
Nicholls was a vital part of the Luton side that not only finished 10th in the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
in their first season, but in the match against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, a game in which the Hatters went into a 3–1 lead courtesy of Nicholls, once again, with a penalty. The Hatters eventually fell short of the quality to see out the game, losing 5–3, but many of the players, such as Nicholls, who had spent the majority of their careers in the lower leagues, were now in the public eye.
Leeds United
On 26 July 2006, Nicholls signed for Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
for a fee of £700,000. In his first training session with Leeds, he damaged his knee ligaments but hoped to be back within 3 months. Nicholls' quick rehabilitation allowed him to make his debut for the club as a substitute in Leeds' match against Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
on 13 September 2006, over a month before he was due back.
Nicholls picked up another injury on 30 September 2006 against West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
, which kept him out until December. On 26 October 2006, he was made the new captain of Leeds United by new manager Dennis Wise
Dennis Wise
Dennis Frank Wise is an English former football manager and player, and former Executive Director at Newcastle United....
, with Shaun Derry
Shaun Derry
Shaun Peter Derry is an English footballer who plays for Queens Park Rangers. Derry is known for his hard-tackling and aggressive midfield style...
being appointed his deputy.
Nicholls returned from injury on 16 December 2006, starting in the 1–0 loss against Ipswich Town
Ipswich 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....
. This was his first game as captain of Leeds and it ended with a red card in the dying minutes. Leeds manager, Dennis Wise, decided not to appeal against the decision, so Nicholls missed Leeds' following three matches over the Christmas period. Nicholls returned to the side once his suspension had been served in the 2–1 victory over Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
.
On 3 March 2007, Nicholls was dropped for Leeds' home match against Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. In his post-match interview, Wise stated that Nicholls had asked to leave the club and return to his former club Luton Town. However, Wise demanded that he would not allow Nicholls to return to Luton unless the original fee of £700,000 was to be paid back to Leeds. It was also stated that Nicholls had been stripped of the captaincy. He has since became somewhat of a hate figure amongst Leeds fans. He ended the season having made just 15 appearances in all competitions, with his last game for the club coming in late February.
Preston North End
On 29 June 2007, Nicholls left Leeds and agreed to sign a contract to move to Preston North EndPreston 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...
for a fee of £750,000. He officially moved to Preston on 5 July 2007, due to Leeds' administration status forcing them to delay all trading until that date.
Nicholls' spell at Preston was initially successful. He was a regular under manager Paul Simpson
Paul Simpson (footballer)
Paul David Simpson is an English former footballer and manager. His son Jake is also a professional footballer.-Manchester City:...
in the first few months of the season, but featured little following the arrival of new manager Alan Irvine, falling behind Paul McKenna, Darren Carter
Darren Carter
Darren Anthony Carter is an English football midfielder who is a free agent after his contract with Preston North End expired at the end of the 2010–11 season.-Career:...
and new signing Richard Chaplow
Richard Chaplow
Richard David Chaplow is an English professional footballer. He currently plays for Championship club Southampton.-Burnley:...
in the pecking order. On 2 August 2008, it was announced that Preston North End and Nicholls had come to an agreement to release him from his contract.
Luton Town return
On 2 August 2008, Nicholls signed a three-year contract with former club 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...
, stating he will always support Luton and loves the club. He returned as club captain, taking over from Keith Keane
Keith Keane
Keith Francis Keane is an English-born Irish footballer who plays as either a defender or midfielder for Luton Town. He is a former academy player who graduated from the youth ranks at Luton...
. Nicholls missed much of the 2008-09 season as a result of recurring injury problems, but returned fully fit in the final run-in of games. On 24 March 2009, he was given a five game ban and £1,000 fine for supposedly applauding Luton fans for throwing missiles at the referee after a controversial 3–3 draw with Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
.
On 5 April 2009, Nicholls captained Luton to a 3–2 victory over Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
in 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, picking up the man-of-the-match award for his performance in the heart of midfield. He played for Luton in their 0–0 draw with Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
on 13 April, which saw them lose their 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...
status and suffer relegation to the Football Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
.
Despite a recurrence of his knee problem, Nicholls played in 23 league games during the 2009–10 season. It was later revealed by Luton director Gary Sweet that Nicholls had deliberately downplayed the seriousness of this injury in order to lead the team, "playing through excruciating pain and ultimately risking his long term health". Surgery on this knee in early March 2010 ruled Nicholls out for up to eight months. Ultimately, this injury proved to be the end of his Luton Town career. On 27 August 2010, he left the club by "respectful, mutual consent" after volunteering to be released from his contract, citing that he did not want to take money out of the club while not contributing on the pitch while recovering from surgery. In a club statement, managing director Gary Sweet branded Nicholls a Luton Town "legend" and "arguably the club's most successful captain".
Rushden & Diamonds
On 6 November 2010, it was confirmed by Rushden & DiamondsRushden & Diamonds F.C.
Rushden & Diamonds Football Club was an association football club based in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, England. Formed by a merger of Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds in 1992, the club played in the Conference National following a short spell in the Football League at the start of...
that Nicholls had joined the coaching staff there. Rushden manager Justin Edinburgh
Justin Edinburgh
Justin Charles Edinburgh is an English professional football manager and former player. He is currently manager of . Nicknamed 'Musselburgh', he has previously played for, or managed, six other clubs.-Playing career:...
said of him: "He didn't feel his body could train and play anymore... I think he's got good knowledge and will probably give us a different perspective... the players will learn from him and I feel if I can give someone the opportunity it's the right thing to do."
International career
He was capped once and then sent off for the England under-20England national youth football team
England national youth football team can refer to the following age group teams:* England national under-23 football team* England national under-22 football team* England national under-21 football team* England national under-20 football team...
team.
Honours
Luton Town- Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
runner-up (promotionPromotion and relegationIn many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
): 2001–02 - Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
winner: 2004–05 - 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...
winner: 2008–092008–09 in English footballThe 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while...
External links
- Kevin Nicholl profile at the Luton Town website