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John Nicholson (Scottish footballer)

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Jock Nicholson
Personal information
Full name John Andrew Nicholson
Date of birth (1888-03-08)8 March 1888
Place of birth Ayr, Scotland
Date of death 13 June 1970(1970-06-13) (aged 82)
Place of death Weston super Mare, Somerset, England
Height 5 ft 9+34 in (1.77 m)[1]
Position(s) Left half
Youth career
Ashfield
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1911–1921 Bristol City 197 (4)
1921–1924 Rangers 30 (1)
1924–1925 St Johnstone 12 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Andrew Nicholson (8 March 1888 – 13 June 1970) was a Scottish footballer who played as a left half. He made over 190 Football League and 40 Scottish League appearances in the years before and after the First World War.[2][3]

Career

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"Jock" Nicholson played locally for Glasgow Ashfield before Sam Hollis signed him in July 1911 for Bristol City.[2][4] Nicholson made his debut for Bristol City in the Second Division at left half in a 1-0 win v Fulham on 2 September 1911 alongside Reuben Marr and Billy Wedlock in the half back line.[5] In his debut season 1911-12 Nicholson made 37 appearances missing only one match. The following season Nicholson was again the regular left half making 33 appearances. In 1913-14 Nicholson made 31 appearances and switched from left half to replace Bob Young at right half after Christmas.[5] Nicholson continued at right half in 1914-15 making 33 appearances playing alongside Billy Wedlock and Arthur Moss in the half backs; Nicholson also scored his first goal in a 2-3 defeat v Birmingham City on 19 December 1914.[5] Nicholson did not play in war time matches for Bristol City but returned to the team as regular left half for the season 1919-20 making 28 appearances and scoring two goals. Nicholson also played in 4 of the 5 Cup ties including the semi-final as Bristol City reached the FA Cup Semi-final for only the second time in their history losing 1-2 to Huddersfield Town at Stamford Bridge (stadium).[5] Nicholson took over from Wedlock as captain of Bristol City early in 1920-21 making 34 appearances scoring one goal and leading the team into 3rd place in the Second Division.[5] Nicholson moved to Rangers in the summer of 1921.[4] Nicholson made 17 appearances scoring one goal for Rangers in 1921-22, then 10 appearances in 1922-23 but only 3 appearances in 1923-24.[3] Nicholson joined St Johnstone in the summer of 1924 and made 12 appearances in the 1924-25 season.[3]

Jock Nicholson rejoined Bristol City as trainer in 1925 for six seasons following his retirement from playing. He also coached the Swiss club Etoile-Carouse, was trainer at Manchester United and coached in Sweden. After a final retirement from football Nicholson settled back near Bristol and died in Weston-super-Mare in 1970.[4]

Honours

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with Bristol City

References

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  1. ^ "The coming of the big ball: the Second Division: Bristol City". Athletic News. Manchester. 18 August 1913. p. 5 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  2. ^ a b Joyce, Michael (2004). Football League Players' Records 1888 – 1939. Tony Brown. ISBN 1-899468-67-6.
  3. ^ a b c Emms, Steve; Richard Wells (2007). Scottish League Players' Records 1890-91 to 1938-39. Tony Brown. ISBN 978-1-899468-66-9.
  4. ^ a b c Woods, David; Leigh Edwards (1997). Bristol City FC - The First 100 years. Redcliffe Press. ISBN 1-900178-26-5.
  5. ^ a b c d e Woods, David (1994). Bristol Babe The First 100 years of Bristol City FC. Yore Publications. ISBN 1-874427-95-X.