Shane Nicholson
Encyclopedia
Shane Michael Nicholson (born June 3, 1970 in Newark-on-Trent
) is an English
retired professional footballer who played as a left back. He is now the rehabilitation and fitness coach at Chesterfield
, after he announced his retirement from professional football in 2007.
In his 21-year career Nicholson played for 8 clubs, played in 523 league
matches, scoring 31 goals
. In all competitions, Nicholson played in 594 matches, scoring 34 goals.
in 1986. Nicholson made his début for the club on 22 November 1986 in a match against Burnley
, becoming the youngest ever Lincoln City player to play in the Football League, at the age of 16 years and 172 days. Nicholson went on to play in seven league games during the 1986–87 season
, a campaign which ended in the club being relegated from The Football League, the first team to go down to Non-League football
in the post election system. They did, however return to the League in the 1987–88 season
, after winning the Football Conference
. After the club's promotion to the Division Four
, Nicholson became a first team regular, playing 126 league games in four seasons, scoring six goals.
(2nd tier) outfit Derby County
on April 22, 1992, for a fee of £100,000. When he joined The Rams, they were hoping to get promoted to the newly founded FA Premier League, but missed out in the playoffs despite finishing in 3rd place; Nicholson did not play any matches in the run in. While at the Baseball Ground
, Nicholson was not a regular in the starting line-up, playing in 74 matches and scoring one goal in 3½ seasons and left the club in February 1996.
, for a fee of £150,000. In his first half season at The Baggies, the 1995–96 season
, he played 18 league matches, most of the clubs remaining league games. In his first full season however, the 1996–97 season
, as at Derby, he was not a regular, playing in just 18 matches, and in the following 1997–98 season
, 16 matches before being suspended after failing a drugs test, testing positive for traces of amphetamines. He was sacked by the club,a decision against which he unsuccessfully appealed.
(3rd tier) club Chesterfield
, with whom he had been training. He only spent one season at in his first time spent with The Spireites, the 1998–99 season
, where he played in 24 league matches, scoring one goal.
on a free transfer. In his first season for the club, the 1999–2000 season
Nicholson scored 1 goal in 42 league appearances and in the following 2000–01 season
, scored two goals in 35 league games.
on a free transfer, signing on three-year contract. In his one season at Bramall Lane
, the 2001–02 season
, Nicholson played in 25 league games scoring three goals.
on a free transfer, signing on two-year contract. In his two years for the club, Nicholson played in 54 league matches, scoring six goals, before being released in May 2004.
, scoring seven goals in 43 league appearances, Nicholson's contract was extended, but the captain's next season was cut short due to injury and needed emergency treatment to an infection in his leg following keyhole surgery
. Prior to this injury, Nicholson had scored five goals in 25 league matches during the 2005–06 season
. Nicholson was offered a one-year extension to his contract, but after accepting the offer injured his knee in a friendly versus Sheffield Wednesday
and was expected to be out for two–three weeks. Nicholson never recovered from this form and only played in three games, all as substitute
, totaling up to 48 minutes, two in the league and one in the Football League Cup
. In November 2006, Nicholson joined Lincoln City on 23 November 2006, 20 years and 1 day after his league début for the club. He played in eight games for The Imps, scoring no goals, before returning to Chesterfield in January 2007. On January 19, 2007, Nicholson joined Boston United
on loan for a month. The loan move was extended until the end of the 2006–07 season
. The move was cut short due to injury in March 2007. During his loan at York Street
, Nicholson played in six league games, scoring no goals. He was released as a player in May 2007 and announced his retirement from professional football.
manager Lee Richardson
announced that Nicholson would become the clubs rehabilitation and fitness coach.
Newark-on-Trent
Newark-on-Trent is a market town in Nottinghamshire in the East Midlands region of England. It stands on the River Trent, the A1 , and the East Coast Main Line railway. The origins of the town are possibly Roman as it lies on an important Roman road, the Fosse Way...
) is an English
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...
retired professional footballer who played as a left back. He is now the rehabilitation and fitness coach at 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...
, after he announced his retirement from professional football in 2007.
In his 21-year career Nicholson played for 8 clubs, played in 523 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...
matches, scoring 31 goals
Goal (sport)
Goal refers to a method of scoring in many sports. It can also refer to the physical structure or area of the playing surface where scoring occurs....
. In all competitions, Nicholson played in 594 matches, scoring 34 goals.
Lincoln City
Nicholson started his career with Lincoln CityLincoln 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....
in 1986. Nicholson made his début for the club on 22 November 1986 in a match against 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...
, becoming the youngest ever Lincoln City player to play in the Football League, at the age of 16 years and 172 days. Nicholson went on to play in seven league games during the 1986–87 season
1986-87 in English football
The 1986–87 season was the 107th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :The First Division championship went to Everton in their final season under the management of Howard Kendall before his departure to Athletic Bilbao. His side overcame a spate of injuries to fight off...
, a campaign which ended in the club being relegated from The Football League, the first team to go down to Non-League football
Non-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
in the post election system. They did, however return to the League in the 1987–88 season
1987-88 in English football
The 1987–88 season was the 120th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool won the league title with a comfortable nine-point margin and just two defeats all season....
, after winning 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...
. After the club's promotion to the Division Four
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...
, Nicholson became a first team regular, playing 126 league games in four seasons, scoring six goals.
Derby County
Nicholson joined Division TwoFootball 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...
(2nd tier) outfit Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
on April 22, 1992, for a fee of £100,000. When he joined The Rams, they were hoping to get promoted to the newly founded FA Premier League, but missed out in the playoffs despite finishing in 3rd place; Nicholson did not play any matches in the run in. While at the Baseball Ground
Baseball Ground
The Baseball Ground was a stadium in Derby, England. It was first used for baseball as the home of Derby County Baseball Club from 1890 until 1898 and then for football as the home of Derby County from 1895 until 1997. It was commonly referred to as the "BBG".As the name suggests, the stadium was...
, Nicholson was not a regular in the starting line-up, playing in 74 matches and scoring one goal in 3½ seasons and left the club in February 1996.
West Bromwich Albion
On 9 February 1996 Nicholson joined Division One (2nd tier) rivals West Bromwich AlbionWest 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...
, for a fee of £150,000. In his first half season at The Baggies, the 1995–96 season
1995-96 in English football
- Premiership :Newcastle United were 12 points clear at the top of Manchester United, but Alex Ferguson's relatively young and inexperienced side overhauled them during the second half of the season to win the title....
, he played 18 league matches, most of the clubs remaining league games. In his first full season however, the 1996–97 season
1996-97 in English football
The 1996–1997 season was the 117th season of competitive football in England.Arrival into the league and exit out of the league returns in the fourth tier for the first time after its 3 season absence with only 1 relegation spot.- Premier League :...
, as at Derby, he was not a regular, playing in just 18 matches, and in the following 1997–98 season
1997-98 in English football
The 1997-1998 season was the 118th season of competitive football in England.-Premier League:Arsenal overhauled Manchester United's lead during the final weeks of the season to win the Premiership title...
, 16 matches before being suspended after failing a drugs test, testing positive for traces of amphetamines. He was sacked by the club,a decision against which he unsuccessfully appealed.
Chesterfield
In August 1998, Nicholson's ban was lifted, and he joined Division TwoFootball 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...
(3rd tier) club 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...
, with whom he had been training. He only spent one season at in his first time spent with The Spireites, the 1998–99 season
1998-99 in English football
-Premier League:Manchester United overcame close competition from Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea to win their fifth Premiership title in seven seasons thanks to the comeback of Roy Keane after his long-term injury and a transfer raid totalling nearly £30 million which netted Aston Villa striker...
, where he played in 24 league matches, scoring one goal.
Stockport County
On 4 June 1999, Nicholson joined Division One (2nd tier) club Stockport CountyStockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
on a free transfer. In his first season for the club, the 1999–2000 season
1999-2000 in English football
-Premier League:Manchester United were crowned FA Premier League champions with an 18-point margin over runners-up Arsenal and with just 3 league defeats all season. This was despite their failure to retain the European Cup and withdrawal from the FA Cup in order to compete in the FIFA Club World...
Nicholson scored 1 goal in 42 league appearances and in the following 2000–01 season
2000-01 in English football
The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...
, scored two goals in 35 league games.
Sheffield United
On 6 June 2001, Nicholson joined fellow Division One (2nd tier) club Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on a free transfer, signing on three-year contract. In his one season at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
, the 2001–02 season
2001-02 in English football
The 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the...
, Nicholson played in 25 league games scoring three goals.
Tranmere Rovers
On 15 July 2002, Nicholson joined Division Two (3rd tier) club Tranmere RoversTranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
on a free transfer, signing on two-year contract. In his two years for the club, Nicholson played in 54 league matches, scoring six goals, before being released in May 2004.
Return to Chesterfield
After his release by Tranmere Rovers, Nicholson rejoined Chesterfield on 29 June 2004, on a one year contract. After giving some impressive performances during the 2004–05 season2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
, scoring seven goals in 43 league appearances, Nicholson's contract was extended, but the captain's next season was cut short due to injury and needed emergency treatment to an infection in his leg following keyhole surgery
Laparoscopic surgery
Laparoscopic surgery, also called minimally invasive surgery , bandaid surgery, or keyhole surgery, is a modern surgical technique in which operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions as opposed to the larger incisions needed in laparotomy.Keyhole surgery makes use of images...
. Prior to this injury, Nicholson had scored five goals in 25 league matches during the 2005–06 season
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
. Nicholson was offered a one-year extension to his contract, but after accepting the offer injured his knee in a friendly versus 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...
and was expected to be out for two–three weeks. Nicholson never recovered from this form and only played in three games, all as substitute
Substitute (football)
In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
, totaling up to 48 minutes, two in the league and one in the Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
. In November 2006, Nicholson joined Lincoln City on 23 November 2006, 20 years and 1 day after his league début for the club. He played in eight games for The Imps, scoring no goals, before returning to Chesterfield in January 2007. On January 19, 2007, Nicholson joined Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
on loan for a month. The loan move was extended until the end of the 2006–07 season
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
. The move was cut short due to injury in March 2007. During his loan at York Street
York Street
York Street, currently styled as The Jakemans Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is a football stadium in Boston, England, and is the home ground of Boston United. Originally called Shodfriars Lane, football has been played on the site since the late 19th century by a variety of Boston teams, but...
, Nicholson played in six league games, scoring no goals. He was released as a player in May 2007 and announced his retirement from professional football.
Coaching career
After he announcing his retirement from football in 2007, ChesterfieldChesterfield 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...
manager Lee Richardson
Lee Richardson (footballer)
Lee James Richardson is a former professional footballer and until 6 May 2009 he was manager of Chesterfield...
announced that Nicholson would become the clubs rehabilitation and fitness coach.