Former Halifax Town defender Chris Nicholl has died aged 77, writes Johnny Meynell.

Nicholl, a formidable centre-half, had a successful career with every club he played for, starting as a rising star in Halifax Town’s 1968-69 promotion-winning team and eventually participating in a World Cup finals tournament.

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Born in Wilmslow in October 1946, Nicholl’s journey to fame was unexpected, especially since he was rejected by First Division Burnley. Despite his height of 6 feet 2 inches, he was overlooked in the large pool of talent. Before joining Burnley as an apprentice in June 1963, Nicholl had represented Macclesfield Schools and Handsworth Boys’ Club. He turned professional in April 1965 but was unable to secure a spot in the first team, leading to his departure at the end of the 1965-66 season.

He was playing for Witton Albion in the Cheshire County League when Alan Ball Snr, the manager of Halifax Town, revived his career in June 1968. After only four reserve team appearances, Nicholl was pushed into the first team for the match at Newport County on 14 September. He quickly became a regular in the half-back line alongside John Pickering. His signing was made permanent in October, with Halifax Town paying Witton £1,250.

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Nicholl scored three vital goals during the season and played in every match of Halifax Town’s memorable FA Cup run, which saw them reach the fourth round and force a replay against top-tier Stoke City.

Nicholl’s transfer to Luton Town in August 1969 was surprising, especially considering the circumstances. His performance in the 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road led Hatters manager Alec Stock to make an immediate offer for him, finalising the deal the next day for £30,000.

A year after helping Halifax Town move up from the Fourth Division, Nicholl assisted Luton Town in advancing from the Third Division as runners-up to Orient. He made 97 league appearances and scored six goals for Luton before transferring to Aston Villa for £75,000 in March 1972. There, he replaced the ageing George Curtis at centre-half and participated in thirteen games during Villa’s Third Division title run.

Three seasons later, Nicholl played in all but one game as Villa ascended to the First Division, finishing behind Manchester United. As team captain, Nicholl had the honour of lifting the League Cup in April 1977 after a second replay against Everton, a match in which he scored an impressive forty-yard goal.

Nicholl joined Southampton in June 1977 and represented them in the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain. The team reached the second stages after defeating the host nation in the first round group stage.

With Southampton, Nicholl was part of Lawrie McMenemy’s thrilling team, which included Mick Channon, Alan Ball, and Kevin Keegan. The team finished second to league champions Liverpool in 1981-82 and to Nottingham Forest in the League Cup final in March 1979.

Nicholl made a total of 228 league appearances for Southampton before becoming player-assistant manager to Dave Booth at Grimsby Town in August 1983. He played for two seasons, bringing his career total of league appearances to 647 and scoring 28 goals.

Nicholl returned to Southampton as manager in July 1985, succeeding McMenemy. He held the position for six years, maintaining Southampton’s place in the First Division. Unfortunately, his team was defeated by Liverpool in the semi-finals of both the FA Cup in 1984 and the League Cup the following year. Among the players he debuted were future internationals Alan Shearer and Matt Le Tissier.

Nicholl was dismissed in May 1991 but returned to club management with Walsall, leading them to promotion from Division Three in 1994-95. After leaving in May 1997, he briefly returned as assistant to Ray Graydon in November 2001, having worked with Lawrie McMenemy coaching the Northern Ireland international side in the interim.

In his later years, Nicholl was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and moved back to Southampton in September 2020 to receive care from his family.