View source for Jimmy Nicholl

{{Short description|Northern Irish footballer (born 1956)}}
{{other people||James Nicol (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{BLP sources|date=July 2015}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jimmy Nicholl
| image = Jimmy Nicholl, Dudesleeper.jpg
| upright =
| caption = Nicholl in 1994
| fullname = James Michael Nicholl<ref>{{Hugman|14575|access-date=8 April 2017}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|12|28|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Hamilton, Ontario]], Canada
| height = 5 ft 10 in<ref>{{cite book |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88 |editor-first=Peter |editor-last=Dunk |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=London |date=1987 |page=384 |isbn=978-0-356-14354-5}}</ref>
| position = [[Defender (association football)|Defender]]
| currentclub = [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]] (assistant manager)
| youthyears1 = 1971–1974
| youthclubs1 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
| years1 = 1974–1982
| clubs1 = [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]
| caps1 = 197
| goals1 = 3
| years2 = 1982
| clubs2 = → [[Sunderland A.F.C|Sunderland]] (loan)
| caps2 = 3
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 1982
| clubs3 = [[Toronto Blizzard (NASL)|Toronto Blizzard]]
| caps3 = 16
| goals3 = 3
| years4 = 1982–1983
| clubs4 = [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
| caps4 = 29
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 1983–1984
| clubs5 = [[Toronto Blizzard (NASL)|Toronto Blizzard]]
| caps5 = 49
| goals5 = 8
| years6 = 1983–1984
| clubs6 = [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]
| caps6 = 17
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 1984–1986
| clubs7 = [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]
| caps7 = 56
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 1986–1989
| clubs8 = [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]
| caps8 = 58
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 1989–1990
| clubs9 = [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline Athletic]]
| caps9 = 24
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 1990–1996
| clubs10 = [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]]
| caps10 = 128
| goals10 = 6
| years11 = 1996
| clubs11 = [[Bath City F.C.|Bath City]]
| caps11 = 1
| goals11 = 0
| totalcaps = 577
| totalgoals = 20
| nationalyears1 = 1976–1986
| nationalteam1 = [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]]
| nationalcaps1 = 73
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| manageryears1 = 1990–1996
| managerclubs1 = [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]] (player-manager)
| manageryears2 = 1996–1997
| managerclubs2 = [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]
| manageryears3 = 1997–1999
| managerclubs3 = [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]]
| manageryears4 = 2010–2011
| managerclubs4 = [[Cowdenbeath F.C.|Cowdenbeath]]
| manageryears5 = 2013
| managerclubs5 = [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] (caretaker)
| manageryears6 = 2013–2015
| managerclubs6 = [[Cowdenbeath F.C.|Cowdenbeath]]
| manageryears7 = 2018
| managerclubs7 = [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] (caretaker)

}} 
'''James Michael Nicholl''' (born 28 December 1956) is a Northern Irish former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played for several clubs, including [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] and [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]].<ref name=JNICHL>{{cite web|title=Northern Ireland Footballing Greats: Jimmy Nicholl|url=http://nifootball.blogspot.com/2007/04/jimmy-nicholl.html|access-date=15 January 2008}}</ref> He was mainly a [[defender (association football)#Full-back|right-back]] but could also play in other defensive roles. Nicholl won a total of 73 international [[cap (football)|caps]] for [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]], scoring one goal.

After retiring as a player, he moved into coaching and management. He enjoyed success as manager of [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]], winning the [[1994–95 Scottish League Cup]]. In recent years he has worked as an assistant coach for several Scottish clubs, including [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]], [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]], [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]], [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]], Rangers and [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]].

==Early life==
Jimmy Nicholl was born in [[Hamilton, Ontario]], Canada, to Northern Irish parents. His family moved back to Northern Ireland when he was 3. Nicholl grew up on the [[Rathcoole (Newtownabbey)|Rathcoole]] estate on the outskirts of [[Belfast]]. After he began his football career as an apprentice with [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], the club arranged for Nicholl's family to relocate to England, to avoid the unrest caused by [[the Troubles]] in Northern Ireland.<ref name="Herald">{{cite news|last1=Cameron|first1=Neil|title=Jimmy Nicholl on football, the Troubles, and bringing together divided communities|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/14420546.Jimmy_Nicholl_on_football__the_Troubles__and_bringing_together_divided_communities/|access-date=1 November 2017|work=The Herald|date=12 April 2016|location=Glasgow}}</ref>

==Playing career==
Nicholl started his career as a junior player at [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]. His senior career started in 1974. He helped the club win the [[1977 FA Cup Final]] and collected a runners-up medal in [[1979 FA Cup Final|1979]].

In 1981, he left the club after scoring five goals, joining [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] on a permanent contract after a loan spell, and playing 32 games in one season before moving to [[Toronto Blizzard (NASL)|Toronto Blizzard]] in Canada, scoring 11 goals in 77 games over the next two years before signing for [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]].

In 1984, he returned to the English league to sign for [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] where he stayed until their relegation from the First Division in 1986, then returning to Rangers for three years, helping them win two Scottish league titles in the process.

After leaving Rangers, he signed for [[Dunfermline Athletic]] in 1989 before moving to a [[player-manager]] role at [[Raith Rovers]], having originally joined them on 27 November 1990. Following his time at Rovers, Nicholl played one game for [[Bath City F.C.|Bath City]] in February 1996, a 3–0 defeat at home to [[Macclesfield Town F.C.|Macclesfield Town]]. He was sent off after 55 minutes and never played for the club again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bathcityfc.com/past_n.htm|title=Past Players|publisher=Bath City FC|access-date=15 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129022747/http://www.bathcityfc.com/past_n.htm|archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref>

==Coaching career==

Nicholl had great success as manager of [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]], winning the [[1994–95 Scottish League Cup]] and the [[1994–95 Scottish First Division]] championship. Due to their League Cup triumph, Raith qualified for the [[1995–96 UEFA Cup]] and reached the second round, where they were eliminated by eventual winners [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]].<ref name = "bayern"/> Having lost the first leg to Bayern 2–0 at [[Easter Road]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/bayern-ruin-all-raiths-dreams-1578257.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/bayern-ruin-all-raiths-dreams-1578257.html |archive-date=8 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Bayern ruin all Raith's dreams |first=David |last=McKinney |work=The Independent|location=London |date=17 October 1995 |access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref> Raith took a 1–0 lead at the [[Olympic Stadium (Munich)|Olympiastadion]] thanks to a goal by [[Danny Lennon]].<ref name = "bayern">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/10743317/Raith-Rovers-recall-Bayern-Munich-clash-as-they-face-Rangers-in-Ramsden-Cup-final.html |title=Raith Rovers recall Bayern Munich clash as they face Rangers in Ramsden Cup final |first=Roddy |last=Forsyth |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=3 April 2014 |access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref> Bayern recovered to win 2–1 on the night and 4–1 on aggregate.<ref name = "bayern"/>

On 28 February 1996, Nicholl was appointed manager of [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]], who just over two months earlier had been top of Division One but were now sliding down the table. He was unable to arrest the decline and Millwall slipped into Division Two on the last day of the season. He remained at Millwall until the following February, and six months after that returned to Raith Rovers. {{citation needed|date=July 2015}} His second spell at Raith lasted two years, and ended on 14 June 1999 after he had failed to get them back into the top flight.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}

A 28-day spell as manager of Dunfermline Athletic followed later in 1999, and he later served as assistant manager to [[Jimmy Calderwood]] at [[East End Park]]. In May 2004, Nicholl followed Calderwood when he took over as manager at [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/3745299.stm|title=Calderwood agrees Dons move|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 May 2004|access-date=6 February 2009}}</ref> again serving as his assistant until the two parted company with the club in May 2009.<ref name="Dons part with manager Calderwood">{{cite news| title = Dons part with manager Calderwood| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/8066189.stm| publisher = BBC Sport| date = 24 May 2009| access-date = 24 November 2017}}</ref> He resumed his partnership with Calderwood at [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]] in 2010.

Nicholl was appointed manager of [[Cowdenbeath F.C.|Cowdenbeath]] in June 2010,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cowdenbeath/8759639.stm|title=Jimmy Nicholl is confirmed as Cowdenbeath manager|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 June 2010|access-date=25 June 2010}}</ref> but he left Cowdenbeath at the end of the 2010–11 season after they were relegated from the First Division.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13665669.stm|publisher=BBC Sport |title=Cameron in for Nicholl at Cowden|date=6 June 2011}}</ref>

Nicholl was then appointed assistant manager of [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]] for a second time, by [[Kenny Shiels]] on 15 June 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/kilmarnock/257496-kilmarnock-to-confirm-management-team|title=Kilmarnock confirm management duo|publisher=STV Sport|date=15 June 2011|access-date=15 June 2011|archive-date=24 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324061538/http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/kilmarnock/257496-kilmarnock-to-confirm-management-team/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kilmarnock won the [[2011–12 Scottish League Cup]] under Shiels and Nicholl, but Shiels was sacked by Kilmarnock in June 2013. Nicholl then decided to accept the offer of assistant manager at [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22917948|title=Jimmy Nicholl leaves Kilmarnock to join Hibernian|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 June 2013|access-date=15 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hibernianfc.co.uk/news/20130615/assistant-manager-confirmed_2262950_3210694 |title=Assistant Manager Confirmed|publisher=Hibernian FC |date=15 June 2013|access-date=15 June 2013}}</ref> After manager [[Pat Fenlon]] resigned on 1 November, Nicholl was appointed caretaker manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24776959|title=Hibernian manager Pat Fenlon exits Easter Road|publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 November 2013|access-date=1 November 2013}}</ref> Nicholl left Hibernian soon after their new management team was recruited.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24946618|title=Inverness: John Hughes and Kenny Shiels in for manager's job|first1=Chick|last1=Young|first2=Jim|last2=Spence|publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 November 2013|access-date=14 November 2013}}</ref>

After leaving Hibernian, Nicholl returned to [[Cowdenbeath F.C.|Cowdenbeath]] for a second stint as their manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25168499|title=Cowdenbeath: Jimmy Nicholl returns for second manager spell|publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 November 2013|access-date=30 November 2013 }}</ref> He led the Blue Brazil to avoid relegation via the [[Scottish Championship]] play-offs in the [[2013–14 in Scottish football|2013–14]] season beating local rivals [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline Athletic]] in the two-legged final. He led the side to the [[Fife Cup]] that season. However a very difficult season followed in [[2014–15 in Scottish football|2014–15]], which included a joint-record 10–0 defeat to eventual champions [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]]. The following week, Cowdenbeath managed to draw 0–0 with [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]]. The club was relegated to [[Scottish League One|League One]] on the last day, after which Nicholl resigned as manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32597631 |title=Cowdenbeath: Jimmy Nicholl resigns as boss after relegation|publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2015|access-date=5 May 2015 }}</ref>

While still at Cowdenbeath, Nicholl had also become assistant manager to [[Michael O'Neill (footballer)|Michael O'Neill]] with the Northern Ireland national team in March 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jimmy Nicholl appointed Northern Ireland assistant manager|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/jimmy-nicholl-appointed-northern-ireland-assistant-manager-31077248.html|access-date=1 November 2017|work=Belfast Telegraph|date=18 March 2015}}</ref> He was appointed as assistant to new [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] manager [[Paul Hartley]] in October 2017, while also continuing in his role with Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jimmy Nicholl becomes Falkirk assistant but remains with Northern Ireland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41649284|access-date=1 November 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 October 2017}}</ref> He became assistant manager at [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] in January 2018, assisting [[Graeme Murty]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42522424 |first=Chick |last=Young |title=Jimmy Nicholl: Rangers to appoint Falkirk assistant as Ibrox number two |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 December 2017 |access-date=30 December 2017}}</ref> After Murty left Rangers on 1 May, Nicholl and [[Jonatan Johansson (footballer)|Jonatan Johansson]] were placed in interim charge<ref>{{cite web |url=https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/club-statement-88/ |title=Club Statement |publisher=Rangers FC |date=1 May 2018 |access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref> until the appointment of [[Steven Gerrard]] on 1 June.

Nicholl joined [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]] as their first team coach in November 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46388631 |title=Jimmy Nicholl: Northern Irishman becomes St Mirren first-team coach |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 November 2018 |access-date=29 November 2018}}</ref> He then moved to [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]] in May 2019, assisting [[James McPake]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/48470814 |title=Dundee: James McPake confirmed as club's new manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 May 2019 |access-date=31 May 2019}}</ref> Nicholl was released from the club in June 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 June 2020|title=Nicholl and McDermid leave club|url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/nicholl-and-mcdermid-leave-club/|access-date=26 June 2020|website=Dundee FC}}</ref>

On 28 June 2020, Nicoll became assistant manager of [[Northern Ireland national football team]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53212775|title=Nicholl to stay on as NI assistant manager|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

==Honours==

===Player===
'''Manchester United'''
*[[FA Cup]]: [[1976–77 FA Cup|1976–77]]<ref>{{cite book |first1=Leslie |first2=Jack |last1=Vernon |last2=Rollin |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 1977–78 |year=1977 |publisher=Brickfield Publications Ltd |location=London |isbn=0354 09018 6 |page=491}}</ref>

'''Rangers'''
*[[Scottish Premier Division]]: 1986–87, 1988–89
*[[Scottish League Cup]]: 1983–84, 1986–87, 1987–88

'''Raith Rovers'''
*[[Scottish First Division]]: 1992–93
*[[Fife Cup]]: 1990–91, 1992–93

===Manager===
'''Raith Rovers'''
*[[Scottish First Division]]: 1992–93, 1994–95
*[[Scottish League Cup]]: 1994–95
*[[Fife Cup]]: 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1997–98, 1998–99

'''Cowdenbeath'''
*[[Scottish Championship]] play-offs: 2013–14
*[[Fife Cup]]: 2013–14

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|13 May 2018}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!rowspan="2" style="width:130px"|Team
!rowspan="2" style="width:50px"|Nat
!rowspan="2" style="width:120px"|From
!rowspan="2" style="width:120px"|To
!colspan="6"|Record
|-
!width=40|G
!width=40|W
!width=40|D
!width=40|L
!width=50|Win %
|-
|align=left|[[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fitbastats.com/raithrovers/manager.php?id=1265 |title=Raith Rovers manager Jimmy Nicholl|publisher=Fitbastats.com|access-date=1 April 2017}}</ref>
|{{flagicon|Scotland}}
|align=left|November 1990
|align=left|February 1996
{{WDL|249|99|72|78}}
|-
|align=left|[[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]]
|{{flagicon|England}}
|align=left|February 1996
|align=left|February 1997
{{WDL|46|15|11|20}}
|-
|align=left|[[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]]
|{{flagicon|Scotland}}
|align=left|August 1997
|align=left|June 1999
{{WDL|81|29|20|32}}
|-
|align=left|[[Cowdenbeath F.C.|Cowdenbeath]]
|{{flagicon|Scotland}}
|align=left|June 2010
|align=left|June 2011
{{WDL|42|10|9|23}}
|-
|align=left|[[Cowdenbeath F.C.|Cowdenbeath]]
|{{flagicon|Scotland}}
|align=left|November 2013
|align=left|May 2015
{{WDL|67|20|10|37}}
|-
|align=left|[[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] (caretaker)
|{{flagicon|Scotland}}
|align=left|May 2018
|align=left|June 2018
{{WDL|3|1|2|0}}
|-
!colspan=4|Total
{{WDLtot|488|174|124|190}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/northern-ireland/jimmy-nicholl-7542/northern-ireland-international-football-caps_a12012/ Nicholl's international record]
*{{Canada Soccer player|id=2359}} / [[Canada Soccer Hall of Fame]]
* [http://nasljerseys.com/Players/N/Nicholl.Jimmy.htm NASL Stats]

{{1984 NASL All-Stars}}
{{Scottish League Cup winning managers}}
{{SFWA Manager of the Year}}
{{Raith Rovers F.C. Hall of Fame}}
{{Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Jimmy Nicholl – Northern Ireland squads
|list1=
{{Northern Ireland Squad 1982 World Cup}}
{{Northern Ireland Squad 1986 World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Jimmy Nicholl – Manager positions
|list1=
{{Raith Rovers F.C. managers}}
{{Millwall F.C. managers}}
{{Dunfermline Athletic F.C. managers}}
{{Cowdenbeath F.C. managers}}
{{Hibernian F.C. managers}}
{{Rangers F.C. managers}}
}}
<!--although born in Canada, apparently not citizen of Canada-->

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nicholl, Jimmy}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Soccer players from Hamilton, Ontario]]
[[Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Association football managers from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Northern Ireland men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Canadian men's soccer players]]
[[Category:Canadian soccer coaches]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Northern Ireland descent]]
[[Category:1982 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1986 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
[[Category:Men's association football utility players]]
[[Category:Bath City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Cowdenbeath F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Dunfermline Athletic F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Dunfermline Athletic F.C. players]]
[[Category:Dunfermline Athletic F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's association footballers from Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Canada]]
[[Category:Expatriate sportspeople from Northern Ireland in Canada]]
[[Category:Hibernian F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Kilmarnock F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Manchester United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Millwall F.C. managers]]
[[Category:North American Soccer League (1968–1984) players]]
[[Category:Raith Rovers F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Raith Rovers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Rangers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Scottish Football League managers]]
[[Category:Scottish Football League players]]
[[Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players]]
[[Category:Toronto Blizzard (1971–1984) players]]
[[Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Rangers F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Falkirk F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:St Mirren F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate men's soccer players]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in Scotland]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:Dundee F.C. non-playing staff]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen]]