Mark Nicholls
Encyclopedia
Mark Nicholls is an English
former professional footballer. He currently plays for Ryman Division One side Walton Casuals
, London
. A forward, he began his career as a trainee with Chelsea
, turning professional in August 1995. He made his league debut in the 1996–97 season, after gaining experience on loan with non-league Chertsey Town
, but made a real breakthrough into the Chelsea side the following season, appearing in half of Chelsea's Premiership
games. However, as the number of foreign imports grew at Stamford Bridge
, he fell further out of the reckoning and joined Reading
on loan in December 1999 with a view to a permanent move. The move fell through and on 10 February he returned to a peripheral role at Stamford Bridge. He is remembered at Chelsea for scoring a brace against Coventry in the league, and also for scoring one of the goals as Chelsea won 6-1 at rivals Tottenham Hotspur in December 1997.
He joined Grimsby Town
on loan on 24 February 2000, and then Colchester United
on loan on 6 October the following season. He had an unsuccessful trial with Motherwell
in March 2001 and was released by Chelsea at the end of the season, having scored 3 times in 36 league games, although 25 of those appearances were as a substitute.
In May 2001 he joined Aberdeen
on trial, but nothing came of it and by July he was playing for Aldershot Town
, and later had a trial with Swindon Town
. He joined Partick Thistle
on non-contract terms on 18 August 2001, but played just once in a 1–0 home win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle
.
He joined Torquay United
on non-contract terms on 7 September 2001, making his debut in the 1–0 home defeat against local rivals Plymouth Argyle
the following day when he came on as an 81st minute substitute for Kevin Hill
. He played nine times for Roy McFarland
's side, scoring once, before being released on 25 October, having failed to adapt to Third Division football.
Soon after, he began a trial at Hamilton Academical
, signing for them on 3 November in time to make his debut in a 3–0 defeat away to Forfar Athletic
. However, he played only once more for the Accies, scoring twice in the 3–2 defeat at home to Stenhousemuir
a week later, before joining Clydebank
on 24 November. With Clydebank going out of business in the 2002 close-season, Nicholls joined non-league Chesham United
, but moved to Maidenhead United
soon after.
In October 2003 he moved to Northwood
, leaving for Hendon
in the summer of 2004. He was appointed as player-assistant manager of Hendon in December 2004, but in February 2005 he signed for Uxbridge
, but left to join Hayes
the following summer. In September 2006 he rejoined Northwood only to re-sign for Uxbridge
in January 2007.
However, Nicholls has a reputation in non-league circles for an appalling disciplinary record. Indeed, on Tuesday 13 January 2009 he was one of three Uxbridge players sent off in the first half of their FA Trophy tie against Swindon Supermarine, the West London side eventually going down to a 6-1 defeat. Nicholls left the club by mutual consent soon after this game, to sign for divisional rivals Beaconsfield SYCOB where he was rumoured to play an instrumental part in an end of season brawl at AFC Totton. He was also dismissed after being accused of spitting at a referee during his six month spell at Hendon and collected a series of yellow cards for dissent at the club.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer. He currently plays for Ryman Division One side Walton Casuals
Walton Casuals F.C.
Walton Casuals F.C. are a football club based in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England. They were established in 1948 and joined the Combined Counties League in 1995. They were champions of the Combined Counties League in 2004-05. In 2005 they joined the Isthmian League First Division...
Career
Nicholls was born in HillingdonHillingdon
Hillingdon is a suburban area within the London Borough of Hillingdon, situated 14.2 miles west of Charing Cross.Much of Hillingdon is represented as the Hillingdon East ward within the local authority, Hillingdon Council...
, London
London
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...
. A forward, he began his career as a trainee with Chelsea
Chelsea 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...
, turning professional in August 1995. He made his league debut in the 1996–97 season, after gaining experience on loan with non-league Chertsey Town
Chertsey Town F.C.
Chertsey Town Football Club is an football club based in Chertsey, Surrey, England. The club was established in 1890 and, from the Surrey Senior League, joined the Metropolitan League in the 1964–65 season. They have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Vase twice in their history...
, but made a real breakthrough into the Chelsea side the following season, appearing in half of Chelsea's Premiership
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
games. However, as the number of foreign imports grew at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge (stadium)
Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, West London, and is the home of Chelsea Football Club. The stadium is located within the Moore Park Estate also known as Walham Green and is often referred to as simply The Bridge...
, he fell further out of the reckoning and joined 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...
on loan in December 1999 with a view to a permanent move. The move fell through and on 10 February he returned to a peripheral role at Stamford Bridge. He is remembered at Chelsea for scoring a brace against Coventry in the league, and also for scoring one of the goals as Chelsea won 6-1 at rivals Tottenham Hotspur in December 1997.
He joined Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
on loan on 24 February 2000, and then Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
on loan on 6 October the following season. He had an unsuccessful trial with Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
in March 2001 and was released by Chelsea at the end of the season, having scored 3 times in 36 league games, although 25 of those appearances were as a substitute.
In May 2001 he joined Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
on trial, but nothing came of it and by July he was playing for Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
, and later had a trial with Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
. He joined Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
on non-contract terms on 18 August 2001, but played just once in a 1–0 home win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas...
.
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 non-contract terms on 7 September 2001, making his debut in the 1–0 home defeat against local rivals 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...
the following day when he came on as an 81st minute substitute for Kevin Hill
Kevin Hill (footballer)
Kevin Hill is a professional footballer, who plays for Tiverton Town. He primarily plays in midfield, but has also featured in defence and up front.-Career:...
. He played nine times for Roy McFarland
Roy McFarland
Roy Leslie McFarland is an English football manager who was also a player, notably at Derby County where he played 434 league games helping him to earn 28 caps for England.-Playing career:...
's side, scoring once, before being released on 25 October, having failed to adapt to Third Division football.
Soon after, he began a trial at Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
, signing for them on 3 November in time to make his debut in a 3–0 defeat away to Forfar Athletic
Forfar Athletic F.C.
Forfar Athletic Football Club are a Scottish semi-professional football club from the town of Forfar, Angus. They are members of the Scottish Football League and currently play in the Second Division...
. However, he played only once more for the Accies, scoring twice in the 3–2 defeat at home to Stenhousemuir
Stenhousemuir F.C.
Stenhousemuir FC is a Scottish football club located in Stenhousemuir. The club is a member of the Scottish Football League and currently plays in the Scottish Second Division....
a week later, before joining Clydebank
Clydebank F.C.
Clydebank Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, near Yoker. The present club, formed in 2003, is a member of the Scottish Junior Football Association, and currently plays in West Super League Premier Division...
on 24 November. With Clydebank going out of business in the 2002 close-season, Nicholls joined non-league Chesham United
Chesham United F.C.
Chesham United is an English football club based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, currently playing in the Southern League. They are nicknamed "The Generals" because they were once the football team of the General Baptist Church in Chesham. Chesham Generals merged with Chesham Town to form United...
, but moved to Maidenhead United
Maidenhead United F.C.
Maidenhead United Football Club is an English football club in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The club was founded in 1870 and moved to their current ground at York Road the following year...
soon after.
In October 2003 he moved to Northwood
Northwood F.C.
Northwood F.C. is an English football club based in Northwood in the London Borough of Hillingdon. They play their home games at Northwood Park Stadium...
, leaving for Hendon
Hendon F.C.
Hendon Football Club are an English football club based in Hendon, in the London Borough of Barnet. They currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division.In the 2003-04 season they finished fourth in the Isthmian League Premier Division...
in the summer of 2004. He was appointed as player-assistant manager of Hendon in December 2004, but in February 2005 he signed for Uxbridge
Uxbridge F.C.
Uxbridge Football Club are a football club representing Uxbridge but now based in West Drayton, in the County of Middlesex England. They were established in 1871 and are one of the oldest clubs in the South of England. They were founder members of the Southern League Division Two in 1894 and have...
, but left to join Hayes
Hayes F.C.
Hayes F.C. was an English football club based in Hayes, in Greater London. The club started out as Botwell Mission in 1909 taking its present name in 1929. The team nickname, The Missioners was a salute to the history of the team. The club played in the Conference South for their last few seasons...
the following summer. In September 2006 he rejoined Northwood only to re-sign for Uxbridge
Uxbridge F.C.
Uxbridge Football Club are a football club representing Uxbridge but now based in West Drayton, in the County of Middlesex England. They were established in 1871 and are one of the oldest clubs in the South of England. They were founder members of the Southern League Division Two in 1894 and have...
in January 2007.
However, Nicholls has a reputation in non-league circles for an appalling disciplinary record. Indeed, on Tuesday 13 January 2009 he was one of three Uxbridge players sent off in the first half of their FA Trophy tie against Swindon Supermarine, the West London side eventually going down to a 6-1 defeat. Nicholls left the club by mutual consent soon after this game, to sign for divisional rivals Beaconsfield SYCOB where he was rumoured to play an instrumental part in an end of season brawl at AFC Totton. He was also dismissed after being accused of spitting at a referee during his six month spell at Hendon and collected a series of yellow cards for dissent at the club.