The Kevin Nicholson appreciation thread

[Richinns]

Now I am not saying the decision to promote Tom Cruise to the first team spot, at the expense of Nicho, is incorrect but I think it should be acknowledged what a fantastic servant to the club Kev has been.

Unfortunately there comes a time when the club’s and a loyal player’s agenda separate and it seems that this time might have come for Nicho at Torquay.

It is a very difficult situation and the club must always come first, however I think it is important for us as fans to realise and respect what Kevin has given to this club over the years.

He is up there will Chris Hargreaves, Tim Sills and the others (which includes Manse) who fought for and rewarded us with our precious Football League status.

Instead of creating a bigger fallout within the situation and add to already uneasy circumstances, I would like to take this moment to thank Kevin for all he has done over the years and the many fantastic moments he and his left foot has provided for us as fans.

No matter what – he will always remain a Gulls legend.

[royalgull]

Nicho Manse and to a lesser extent Rice are the only 3 players remaining from the time where i felt TUFC started to move forwards again. From the 'new club' and a side which I still think very fondly of. Mainly because of the characters within it the likes of Hargreaves, Sills, Woods, Nicho, Manse, Todd. Top people that are massive losses to the club when they depart.

Nicholson has been a major part of the resurgence of TUFC and I remember last time when he was written off and Bucks tried a host of different full backs before Nicho came back into the side again. I'm still not 100% convinced we've seen the last of him just yet.

[Alpine Joe]

Definitely a hard decision for Alan Knill at the moment. After the tough away fixture at Rochdale (currently 7th), in which he saw our defence with Nicholson as part of it breached once, he brought in Cruise for the home game against Cheltenham (currently 4th from bottom) and we then concede two.

Nicholson is a good professional, and I certainly wouldn't bet against him winning the shirt back, although I think most people are expecting Cruise to be given a run of a few games to see how he gets on.

[brucie]

He has only been left out for one game!

[Richinns]

He has only been left out for one game!

I think there is far more going on than this Bruce!

[Dave]

Well a couple of posters have suggested there is more going with Kevin Nicholson than meets the eye, and after the glowing report about Tom Cruise on the o/s by Alan Knill maybe Cruise is about to get more than just a run of a few games.

Agreed, Kevin Nicholson as been both a great and loyal servant of our club, it's a difficult one for us supporters the majority of us do and will see him as a club legend, however professional football isn't a charity either, every pro knows the day will come when they can not compete at any professional level anymore, some that happens earlier than others of course, Nico has had the turning cirlce of cannal boat for some time, I beieve Nico has been working towards his coaching badges for a while now allthoug not sure, personaly think a drop in level as a player coach who be the right think for Nicho now, and to be honest he probably knows it himself, and he is a nice bloke to boot.

If he does go, and not saying he will, that will be a shame for us, and most will wish him well.

[PhilGull]

This is the one area where the owners of the club have really disappointed me.
Pretty much everything they have done has been great and even the stuff I didn't like I have understood but the way in which adored servants to the club are discarded is so sad.
We had it with Hargreaves and now it seems Nicho is going to leave under a similar cloud. Is there now way this can be done with a little more dignity for all. It just leaves such a bad taste in the mouth.

[Dave]

Not sure what you mean when you say this could be done with more dignity PhilGull, for a start Nico has not left the club, and if he does we do not know what or who has said what behind closed doors.

From the outside looking in, had Nico been out of contract in the summer think he may have been released, I should imagine that Nico has been told by AK he is going to give priority to Tom Cruise, so Nico knowing he has not got much time left in his career as a player, has probably asked to go out on loan so he can continue to play, fair enough all round if I am right.

[Alpine Joe]

Philgull

We had it with Hargreaves and now it seems Nicho is going to leave under a similar cloud.

Someone with a better memory than me will remember the exact course of events, but wasn't Hargreaves due to leave in the most dignified way possible, having captained us to promotion in the BSP play off final and with the fond wishes and eternal gratitude of Torquay fans as he waved goodbye?

I somehow thought that it was Buckle mistakenly deciding that Hargreaves would then be able to cut it in League 2 that resulted in him pestering Hargreaves to reverse his decision to leave and instead to sign a new contract ? As we witnessed, PB's judgement proved to be faulty and so he attempted to correct his error by getting rid of Hargreaves (strangely Buckle seems to be praised for later dealing with Hargreaves 'ruthlessly', while at the same time avoiding any criticism for creating the situation by awarding a new contract to a player who really wasn't up to yet another go at League football.

Time catches up with everyone, and unfortunately another old favourite, Tim Sills, looked as if he was running backwards when he tried to compete in the football league. Back then of course there seemed to be far more cash around for Buckle to bring in new recruits or correct his mistakes.

Getting back to Kevin Nicholson, he's been a great player for us over many years, and I'll be disappointed when the day comes that he leaves Plainmoor. Longer term however, I wouldn't imagine Kev has a lot to worry about. I'm sure he's got the attributes to have a very successful future in the game, managing or coaching at a good level for a sustained period than either Alan Knill or Chris Brass have achieved, but that's all further down the line and he may well wish to concentrate on playing for a little longer yet.

[PhilGull]

Maybe I was a bit quick in jumping to conclusions. It just seems sad to me when I see players like Scholes et al getting to retire and shuffle off with the adoration of the fans ringing in their ears.

[Dave]

I know what you mean, doesn't seem to be many testimonial games, if any deserves one when the time comes, Nico does.

[Rjc70]

I echo the sentiments of the original poster. He has been a good and loyal servant of our Club. I totally understand his desire to go out on loan and get some game time at this stage of his career. I wish him every success in that regard.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Oh how I long to see another 'Nico Special' hammered in from 30 yards, sadly I don't think I've seen him have an actual shot for a year or so. Such is the decline in his Torquay playing career. He will always be a TUFC legend in my eyes as and whatever he chooses to do I hope everything works out for him and he can move on from what (I think) is going to happen to him at Plainmoor when (if) it happens.

It looks like I will have to change my favourite player selection on the profile section to Billy Bo.......oh er sorry, to Aaron Downes obviously. So many thanks for every effort you have put into wearing the shirt Nico and it's just that your body can't take the pace anymore, it is nothing personal. There aren't many occasions I can think of when he hasn't tried for us and that is important to me so head up Nico, well done and many thanks.

[hector]

I suspect Nico realises that his days are numbered. People have been saying for some time, often unkindly and lacking in respect for a player who has been a great servant for us. But like every single footballer, age catches up with you and whilst almost 33 is exactly old, it probably is when faced with wingers who are 21 etc.

There are times in a football career when players get dropped and it propels them to fight for a place in the team and there are times in their career when they can probably see the writing on the wall and I suspect, as many of us probably do, that this probably marks the end for him.

[Kernowgull]

I reckon he'll go on loan localish, with a recall clause. Should Cruise get injured or suspended, he'll be called back. A no lose situation. A match fit reserve left back.