Tom Nichols (footballer)

Tom Andrew Nichols (born 28 August 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for League Two club Crawley Town.

For other people named Tom Nichols, see Tom Nichols (disambiguation).

Tom Nichols
Nichols playing for Exeter City in 2015
Personal information
Full name Tom Andrew Nichols[1]
Date of birth (1993-08-28) 28 August 1993
Place of birth Wellington, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Crawley Town
Number 16
Youth career
2004–2011 Exeter City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2016 Exeter City 97 (34)
2012 → Dorchester Town (loan) 12 (9)
2012 → Hereford United (loan) 9 (1)
2012 → Bath City (loan) 6 (1)
2013 → Dorchester Town (loan) 5 (1)
2016–2017 Peterborough United 50 (11)
2017–2020 Bristol Rovers 94 (4)
2020 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 5 (0)
2020– Crawley Town 22 (7)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 08:52, 5 January 2021 (UTC)

Early and personal life

Nichols was born in Wellington and attended Court Fields School.[3][4][5] His father ran the King’s Arms pub in Wellington.[3] He supported Sunderland as a child.[6]

Career

Exeter City

Nichols joined Exeter City from local club Twyford Spartans as a youth at the under-11 age group.[7] He signed his first professional contract in April 2011, aged 17.[8] He made his professional debut on 7 May 2011, coming on as a half-time substitute for Bertrand Cozic in a 2–1 victory against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in League One.[9]

Nichols scored his first professional goal in a 2–1 victory against Chesterfield at St James Park on 27 August 2011, the eve of his 18th birthday.[10] On 7 January 2012, it was announced that Nichols had joined Conference South side Dorchester Town on a one-month loan.[11] He made his debut for Dorchester Town that same day in a 3–0 win over Thurrock, with Nichols scoring his first goal for Dorchester after coming on as a substitute.[12] In response to Nichols' debut appearance, Dorchester Town manager Alan Knight stated: "It was an encouraging performance and it was nice that he got his goal."[13] After scoring three goals in three games for Dorchester Town, his loan was extended by a further month in February 2012.[14] He returned to Exeter City in April 2012, having made 12 appearances and scored nine goals for the Magpies during his loan at the club.[15][16] Nichols also made 12 appearances for Exeter City across the 2011–12 season, scoring one goal.[17]

In August 2012, Nichols joined Conference side Hereford United on a one-month loan deal.[18] He made his debut for the Bulls on 10 August 2012 against Macclesfield Town after coming on as a substitute.[19] He scored his first goal for the club on 18 August 2012 in a 3–0 win away to Alfreton Town.[20] His loan deal was later extended for a further month.[21] He made nine appearances and scored one goal for the Bulls.[22] In November 2012, Nichols joined Conference South side Bath City on a one-month loan.[16] After making his debut for Bath City on 1 December in a 2–2 draw with Eastbourne Borough, he made seven appearances and scored one goal for the City, prior to being recalled by Exeter City on 25 January 2013.[23][24] In March 2013, Nichols re-joined Conference South side Dorchester Town on loan.[25] He made five appearances and scored one goal during his second spell at Dorchester.[26] At the end of the season, he was offered a new contract with Exeter City for the 2013–14 season,[27] which he signed in July 2013.[28]

In November 2013, Nichols began to reestablish his role in the first team. He went on to make 29 appearances and scored six goals during the 2013–14 season in League Two.[29] He finished the season as joint top goalscorer with Scot Bennett.[30]

Nichols cemented his place in the starting line-up during the 2014–15 season. He finished the season as the club's leading goalscorer with 15 goals in 39 appearances for the Grecians.[30][31]

Nichols scored and was named the Man of the Match against Liverpool in the 3rd round of the FA Cup on 8 January 2016 during a 2–2 draw.

Peterborough United

On 1 February 2016, Nichols joined League One side Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee on a four-and-a-half-year contract.[32] However, two years later, their chairman Darragh MacAnthony revealed the fee was £352,000 including fees and add-ons.[33] He made his debut on 6 February 2016 and scored the winner with a close range shot in a 1–0 victory at Chesterfield.[34] Nichols scored for Peterborough United in a 4–1 defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup third round on 8 January 2017,[35][4] which he later described as a 'career highlight'.[36] In April he suffered a medial ligament tear injury and missed the rest of the season.[37]

Bristol Rovers

On 17 July 2017 Nichols joined Football League One side Bristol Rovers F.C. for a fee of £350,000,[33] subject to him passing a medical.[38] He scored his first goal for the club on 28 October in a 2–0 win against MK Dons at the Memorial Stadium.[39] Nichols followed up with a second goal three days later against West Ham U23s in the EFL Trophy.[40] Nichols scored 2 penalties within January 2019, one being against his former club Peterborough United F.C. [41] After a successful pre-season,[42] Nichols netted his first league goal of the 2019–20 EFL League One season in a 3–1 home win vs Oxford United F.C.[43] The striker was later on the scoresheet in an EFL Cup home tie against Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.[44] in August, as well as an EFL Trophy match against Plymouth Argyle in September 2019.[45]

Nichols signed for Cheltenham Town on a six-month loan deal on 31 January 2020.[46]

At the end of the 2019–20 season Nichols was released by Bristol Rovers.[47][48]

Crawley Town

Following a trial spell with Swindon Town,[49] On 7 September 2020, Nichols joined League Two club Crawley Town on a one-year deal.[50] He made his debut for Crawley as a substitute in a 2–0 away defeat to Port Vale on 12 September,[51] and scored his first goal of the season the following match as Crawley defeated Scunthorpe United 1–0.[52] On 8 November 2020, he scored a hat-trick as Crawley progressed to the second round of the FA Cup after defeating Torquay United 6–5 after extra time.[53]

Career statistics
As of match played 10 January 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Exeter City 2010–11[54] League One 1000000010
2011–12[17] League One 7110002[lower-alpha 1]0101
2012–13[22] League Two 3000000030
2013–14[29] League Two 286100000296
2014–15[55] League Two 361710101[lower-alpha 1]03917
2015–16[56] League Two 221042101[lower-alpha 1]02812
Total 973472204011036
Dorchester Town (loan) 2011–12[57] Conference South 129000000129
Hereford United (loan) 2012–13[22] Conference Premier 9100000091
Bath City (loan) 2012–13[58] Conference South 6100001[lower-alpha 2]071
Dorchester Town (loan) 2012–13[26] Conference South 5100000051
Peterborough United 2015–16[56] League One 7100000071
2016–17[59] League One 431041222[lower-alpha 3]05113
Total 50114122205814
Bristol Rovers 2017–18[60] League One 39110302[lower-alpha 3]1452
2018–19[61] League One 36121105[lower-alpha 3]1443
2019–20[62] League One 19240215[lower-alpha 3]1284
Total 94471611031179
Cheltenham Town (loan) 2019–20[62] League Two 5000002[lower-alpha 4]070
Crawley Town 2020–21[63] League Two 2272300002410
Career total 3066820710319334981
  1. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. Appearances in FA Trophy
  3. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  4. Appearance(s) in League Two play-offs

References
  1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Bristol Rovers" (PDF). English Football League. p. 11. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  2. Tom Nichols at Soccerbase
  3. Carpenter, Will (14 January 2016). "Exeter City manager admits star striker and former Court Fields pupil, Tom Nichols could be sold during January transfer window". Somerset County Gazette. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  4. "Wellington-born Tom Nichols scores for Peterborough United against Chelsea in FA Cup". Somerset County Gazette. 9 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  5. "Tom Nichols". www.courtfields.net. Court Fields School. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  6. "Tom Nichols warns Leeds that Crawley are up for the challenge". FourFourTwo. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  7. "Nichols wants more chances of first-team action at City". Western Morning News. Plymouth. 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  8. "Tom signs pro with City". Wellington Weekly News. 25 April 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  9. "Sheffield Wednesday 1–2 Exeter". BBC Sport. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  10. "Exeter 2–1 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  11. Capel, Ky (7 January 2012). "Nichols in for Magpies". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  12. Capel, Ky (7 January 2012). "Front men fire Magpies to victory". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  13. Capel, Ky (9 January 2012). "Tom's top start for Magpies". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  14. Capel, Ky (2 February 2012). "Magpies seal Worsfold loan deal". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  15. Summers, Adam (7 April 2012). "Perfect finish for Knight". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  16. "Exeter City striker Tom Nichols loaned to Bath City". BBC Sport. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  17. "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  18. "Hereford United sign Ashley Sammons and Tom Nichols". BBC Sport. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  19. Prime, Richard (10 August 2012). "Full-time: Hereford United 2 Macclesfield Town 1". Hereford Times. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  20. Prime, Richard (18 August 2012). "Full-time: Alfreton Town 0 Hereford United 3". Hereford Times. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  21. "Hereford United extend Tom Nichols loan deal". BBC Sport. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  22. "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  23. "2012–13 Season Archive". Bath City F.C. 24 November 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  24. "January 2013". bathcityfc.com. Bath City F.C. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  25. "Nichols joins Dorchester on loan". www.exetercityfc.co.uk. Exeter City F.C. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  26. Tom Nichols at Soccerway. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  27. "Retained List announced". www.exetercityfc.co.uk. Exeter City F.C. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  28. "Tis confirms Nichols stay". www.exetercityfc.co.uk. Exeter City F.C. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  29. "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  30. "Tom Nichols Player Profile". Exeter City F.C. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  31. "Tom Nichols wins Exeter City's Golden Boot for 2014/15 season". www.exetercityfc.co.uk. Exeter City F.C. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  32. "Peterborough United sign Exeter City forward". BBC Sport. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  33. Byrom, David (7 June 2018). "Peterborough chairman reveals startling price Bristol Rovers paid for Tom Nichols". The Bristol Post. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  34. "Chesterfield 0–1 Peterborough". BBC Sport. 6 February 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  35. Reddy, Luke (9 January 2021). "Chelsea 4–1 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  36. Spencer, Nick (8 January 2021). "Goals against Liverpool and Chelsea, now Crawley's cup specialist has a warning for Leeds". inews. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  37. "Peterborough United striker Tom Nichols to miss rest of season with knee ligament tear". BBC Sport. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
  38. "Rovers Sign Striker Tom Nichols". 17 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  39. "Bristol Rovers 2–0 Milton Keynes". BBC Sport. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  40. "Bristol Rovers 1–3 West Ham U23". West Ham United F.C. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  41. "Bristol Rovers 2-2 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  42. Byrom, David; Evely, John (10 July 2019). "St Mochta's 0 Bristol Rovers 7 as it happened". BristolLive. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  43. "Bristol Rovers 3-1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  44. "Bristol Rovers 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 2". Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  45. "Leasing.com Trophy Match Report: Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Bristol Rovers". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. Bristol Rovers F.C. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  46. "Cheltenham sign Rovers' Nichols on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  47. "Retained List Announced". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. Bristol Rovers F.C. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  48. Palmer, Jon (15 June 2020). "Bristol Rovers release Cheltenham Town loanee". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  49. Beck, Neil (23 August 2020). "Frustrated Wellens desperate to add firepower to Town squad". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  50. "Crawley bring in striker Nichols". BBC Sport. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  51. Dunford, Mark (13 September 2020). "'We didn't deserve to win the game' - Crawley Town's new signing on Port Vale defeat". West Sussex County Times. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  52. Blackburn, Coren (19 September 2020). "Nichols nips in to give Crawley victory over Scunthorpe". Crawley & Horley Observer. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  53. "Crawley fight back to stun Torquay in thriller". BBC Sport. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  54. "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  55. "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  56. "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  57. "Exeter City striker Tom Nicholls loaned to Bath City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  58. "Bath City 2012–13 Archive". Bath City FC. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  59. "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  60. "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  61. "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  62. "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  63. "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.