Peter Nicholas (footballer)

Peter Nicholas (born November 10 1959) was a Welsh football player and is currently manager of Welsh Premier League champions Llanelli.

Nicholas was born in Newport, but his first professional club was Crystal Palace, with whom he began in 1976 as a youth player. He spent five seasons at Selhurst Park, and played over 150 matches for the Eagles, picking up the Second Division title up in 1978-79. In the meantime he had made his debut for Wales, and would go on to win 73 caps for his country. Originally a centre half, he later was moved forward into midfield and became known as a tough-tackling and uncompromising defensive midfielder.

However, despite his best efforts the Eagles could not sustain their place in the top flight and Nicholas was sold to Arsenal in March 1981 for £500,000, shortly before Palace's relegation back to the Second Division. At Arsenal, Nicholas went straight into the first team and didn't finish on a losing side for the rest of the 1980-81 season. He made 41 appearances the next season, and became captain of Wales as well. However, a series of injuries in the 1982-83 season meant his place in the Arsenal side became uncertain. In all, he played 80 matches for Arsenal, scoring three goals.

Looking for first team football, he returned to Palace on loan in Auguat 1983 and at the end of that season the move was made permanent for £150,000. However, his second spell at Palace was not as successful, and he signed for Luton Town in 1985. He played over 100 games for the Hatters and his form noticeably improved; he was signed by Aberdeen for £350,000 in 1987. In 1987-88, he reached the Scottish League Cup final, against Rangers; the match finished 3-3 and Nicholas missed a penalty in the ensuing shootout, which meant Aberdeen went home empty-handed. He later had spells with Chelsea (winning another Second Division winners' medal), and Watford before retiring in 1993.

After retirement, he became Chelsea's youth coach, before returning to his old club Crystal Palace to take the same role there. He was later promoted to assistant manager at Palace, before moving to League of Wales side Barry Town, where he won the title in 2001. He was also Manager of Newport County from 2002 until 2004. Since August 2005 he has been manager of Llanelli.

References

*cite book
author=Harris, Jeff & Hogg, Tony (ed.)
title=Arsenal Who's Who
publisher=Independent UK Sports
year=1995
id=ISBN 1-899-42903-4
*cite web
url=http://www.welsh-premier.com/sa_manager.php?cid=11
title=Peter Nicholas
work=Welsh-Premier.com
accessdate=2006-12-12