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.
![]() Nichols playing for Exeter City in 2015 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Tom Andrew Nichols[1] | ||
Date of birth | 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
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Exeter City | 2010–11[54] | League One | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2011–12[17] | League One | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
2012–13[22] | League Two | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
2013–14[29] | League Two | 28 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 6 | |
2014–15[55] | League Two | 36 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 39 | 17 | |
2015–16[56] | League Two | 22 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 28 | 12 | |
Total | 97 | 34 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 110 | 36 | ||
Dorchester Town (loan) | 2011–12[57] | Conference South | 12 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 9 |
Hereford United (loan) | 2012–13[22] | Conference Premier | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
Bath City (loan) | 2012–13[58] | Conference South | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 7 | 1 |
Dorchester Town (loan) | 2012–13[26] | Conference South | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
Peterborough United | 2015–16[56] | League One | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
2016–17[59] | League One | 43 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2[lower-alpha 3] | 0 | 51 | 13 | |
Total | 50 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 58 | 14 | ||
Bristol Rovers | 2017–18[60] | League One | 39 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2[lower-alpha 3] | 1 | 45 | 2 |
2018–19[61] | League One | 36 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5[lower-alpha 3] | 1 | 44 | 3 | |
2019–20[62] | League One | 19 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5[lower-alpha 3] | 1 | 28 | 4 | |
Total | 94 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 117 | 9 | ||
Cheltenham Town (loan) | 2019–20[62] | League Two | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[lower-alpha 4] | 0 | 7 | 0 |
Crawley Town | 2020–21[63] | League Two | 22 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 10 |
Career total | 306 | 68 | 20 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 19 | 3 | 349 | 81 |
- Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
- Appearances in FA Trophy
- Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
- Appearance(s) in League Two play-offs
References
- "Notification of shirt numbers: Bristol Rovers" (PDF). English Football League. p. 11. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- Tom Nichols at Soccerbase
- 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.
- "Wellington-born Tom Nichols scores for Peterborough United against Chelsea in FA Cup". Somerset County Gazette. 9 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- "Tom Nichols". www.courtfields.net. Court Fields School. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- "Tom Nichols warns Leeds that Crawley are up for the challenge". FourFourTwo. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- "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.
- "Tom signs pro with City". Wellington Weekly News. 25 April 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- "Sheffield Wednesday 1–2 Exeter". BBC Sport. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- "Exeter 2–1 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- Capel, Ky (7 January 2012). "Nichols in for Magpies". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- Capel, Ky (7 January 2012). "Front men fire Magpies to victory". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- Capel, Ky (9 January 2012). "Tom's top start for Magpies". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- Capel, Ky (2 February 2012). "Magpies seal Worsfold loan deal". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- Summers, Adam (7 April 2012). "Perfect finish for Knight". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- "Exeter City striker Tom Nichols loaned to Bath City". BBC Sport. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
- "Hereford United sign Ashley Sammons and Tom Nichols". BBC Sport. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- Prime, Richard (10 August 2012). "Full-time: Hereford United 2 Macclesfield Town 1". Hereford Times. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- Prime, Richard (18 August 2012). "Full-time: Alfreton Town 0 Hereford United 3". Hereford Times. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- "Hereford United extend Tom Nichols loan deal". BBC Sport. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
- "2012–13 Season Archive". Bath City F.C. 24 November 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- "January 2013". bathcityfc.com. Bath City F.C. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- "Nichols joins Dorchester on loan". www.exetercityfc.co.uk. Exeter City F.C. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- Tom Nichols at Soccerway. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
- "Retained List announced". www.exetercityfc.co.uk. Exeter City F.C. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- "Tis confirms Nichols stay". www.exetercityfc.co.uk. Exeter City F.C. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
- "Tom Nichols Player Profile". Exeter City F.C. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
- "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.
- "Peterborough United sign Exeter City forward". BBC Sport. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- Byrom, David (7 June 2018). "Peterborough chairman reveals startling price Bristol Rovers paid for Tom Nichols". The Bristol Post. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- "Chesterfield 0–1 Peterborough". BBC Sport. 6 February 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- Reddy, Luke (9 January 2021). "Chelsea 4–1 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- 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.
- "Peterborough United striker Tom Nichols to miss rest of season with knee ligament tear". BBC Sport. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- "Rovers Sign Striker Tom Nichols". 17 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
- "Bristol Rovers 2–0 Milton Keynes". BBC Sport. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- "Bristol Rovers 1–3 West Ham U23". West Ham United F.C. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- "Bristol Rovers 2-2 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- Byrom, David; Evely, John (10 July 2019). "St Mochta's 0 Bristol Rovers 7 as it happened". BristolLive. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- "Bristol Rovers 3-1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- "Bristol Rovers 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 2". Sky Sports. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- "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.
- "Cheltenham sign Rovers' Nichols on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- "Retained List Announced". www.bristolrovers.co.uk. Bristol Rovers F.C. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- Palmer, Jon (15 June 2020). "Bristol Rovers release Cheltenham Town loanee". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- Beck, Neil (23 August 2020). "Frustrated Wellens desperate to add firepower to Town squad". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- "Crawley bring in striker Nichols". BBC Sport. 7 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- 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.
- Blackburn, Coren (19 September 2020). "Nichols nips in to give Crawley victory over Scunthorpe". Crawley & Horley Observer. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
- "Crawley fight back to stun Torquay in thriller". BBC Sport. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
- "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
- "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
- "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
- "Exeter City striker Tom Nicholls loaned to Bath City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
- "Bath City 2012–13 Archive". Bath City FC. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
- "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
- "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
- "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- "Games played by Tom Nichols in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tom Nichols (footballer). |
- Tom Nichols at Soccerbase
- Tom Nichols at Soccerway