Luton – The Chris Nicholl Story

As I continue to probe into the past and uncover memories that have long been dormant, the name of Chris Nicholl popped up recently.

Running an article entitled – luton-best-ever-centre-back – the Vital Luton Town readership conjured up many names, including – Steve Foster, Paul Futcher, John Moore, Syd Owen, Mal Donaghy, Paul Elliot, Terry Branston, Steve Davies – men from different eras but players who carved out a reputation wearing a Luton Town shirt.

However, one reader, Matt, posted the following query:

“Surprised Chris Nicholl isn’t getting mentioned.”

Which, in turn, has led to me comprising this article about a centre-half who might not have been the best we have had but a player who caught my imagination as a youngster stood at the front of the Bobbers Stand watching my heroes perform.

Christopher John Nicholl was born, in Wilmslow, on 12-October-1946 and began his football career with Burnley but during his 3 years at the club failed to make a league appearance. That failure saw Chris drop into non-league football with Witton Albion.

However, in 1968 his fortunes changed when he was signed by Halifax Town for whom he made 42 league appearances before his next move beckoned.

After playing as a centre back, for Halifax Town, in a game against Luton Town, he was signed by the Hatters. Now whether Luton had been monitoring him previously or whether his performance that night convinced the Luton board he was the one for us remains a mystery.

Nicholl was on the Hatters books from 1969 to 1972 and became a fans favourite with his defensive abilities complimented by his never-say-die attitude. During that period, he made 97 league appearances scoring 6 goals before he moved to Aston Villa.

At Villa, Nicholl went on to captain the club to League Cup Final success in 1977, albeit via a second replay, scoring a goal that many of you can still remember:

After making 210 league appearances for the club, a move to Southampton beckoned, for whom he made 228 appearances. Chris’ career ended with a move to Grimsby Town, where he made 70 league appearances.

His stature and ability as a centre back saw him earn 51 international caps and after hanging his boots up, he went on to manage Southampton and Walsall before returning to the international stage as the assistant manager of Northern Ireland.

Nicholl may not have been the best centre half we ever had, with Steve Foster, Syd Owen and Mal Donaghy featuring more times in the comments section, but he was a no-nonsense player that played for Luton during my formative years and somebody that, because of his commitment, caught my eye.

COYH’s

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