Christopher John Nicholl was a professional footballer who later worked as a coach and manager.
19 Facts About Chris Nicholl
1.
2.
Chris Nicholl was part of the Northern Ireland squad for the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
3.
Chris Nicholl spent two years as assistant manager of Northern Ireland from 1998 to 2000.
4.
Chris Nicholl started his career at Burnley, but after failing to make a breakthrough, he dropped down to non-league side Witton Albion.
5.
Chris Nicholl signed for Southampton in June 1977 and became the backbone of a successful side, missing only three league games in his first season as the club were promoted back to the top flight.
6.
In 1979, Chris Nicholl appeared in his third League Cup final, but stated he neglected his "job" of clearing his lines by opting to "control" the ball which allowed Gary Birtles to score.
7.
Chris Nicholl joined Grimsby Town in August 1983, and helped them to a fifth-placed finish in Division Two in his first season at the club.
8.
Chris Nicholl scored against Sweden in the seventh minute of his first match for Northern Ireland.
9.
Chris Nicholl scored a total of three goals during his international career, with one against Bulgaria in 1979 and the other against Australia in 1980.
10.
Chris Nicholl was in Northern Ireland's squad for the 1982 FIFA World Cup, playing its whole five games.
11.
Chris Nicholl kept the Saints in the First Division but despite having players of the calibre of Danny and Rod Wallace, Alan Shearer and Matthew Le Tissier in his squad, he tended to be too cautious.
12.
In 1991, the Saints finished in 14th place and Chris Nicholl was sacked in favour of Ian Branfoot.
13.
Chris Nicholl was responsible for bringing some of the club's most successful players into the first team.
14.
Chris Nicholl signed teenage goalkeeper Tim Flowers from Wolves in 1986, and seven years later he became Britain's most expensive goalkeeper when he was sold to Blackburn Rovers, helping them win the league title in 1995.
15.
The Saddlers finished in the top half of Division Two during the next two seasons but Chris Nicholl quit in May 1997 after failing to get Walsall into Division One, citing family reasons.
16.
Chris Nicholl made a brief return to Walsall as then-manager Ray Graydon's assistant in November 2001, but left in January 2002 through loyalty to Graydon, who had been sacked.
17.
Chris Nicholl was the manager of Aston Villa Old Stars, who regularly play in testimonial and charity matches.
18.
Chris Nicholl was the cousin of former professional football Jimmy Chris Nicholl.
19.
Chris Nicholl died on 24 February 2024, at the age of 77.