Paul Nicholson (born 10 August 1986 in Whitehaven) is an English retired footballer who played in the United Soccer League from 2011 to 2017.
![]() Nicholson with FC Cincinnati in 2016 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Paul Nicholson | ||
Date of birth | 10 August 1986 | ||
Place of birth | Whitehaven, England | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Youth career | |||
2003–2005 | Morecambe | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2005–2008 | Rio Grande Red Storm | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2009 | West Virginia Chaos | 14 | (1) |
2010 | GPS Portland Phoenix | 16 | (1) |
2011–2015 | Wilmington Hammerheads | 119 | (6) |
2016–2017 | FC Cincinnati | 33 | (1) |
Managerial career | |||
2018–2020 | Cincinnati Dutch Lions | ||
2021– | Kings Hammer SC | ||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 April 2021 |
Career
editCollege and amateur
editNicholson started his career playing for Morecambe under 17 and under 18 team. After being unsuccessful in obtaining a professional contract with the club, Nicholson moved to the United States in 2005 after accepting a scholarship to play college soccer at the University of Rio Grande. He was selected a first team All-American in 2008 and first team All-AMC. Nicholson was named in the All Tournament team for the 2008 NAIA Tournament and was tabbed the tournament's Most Valuable Defensive Player. He was honorable mention All-AMC in 2007 and was on the second team in 2006.[1]
During his college career, Nicholson also played with USL Premier Development League club West Virginia Chaos during their 2009 season.[2] He also appeared for USL PDL club GPS Portland Phoenix during their 2010 season.[3]
Professional
editNicholson signed his first professional contract in February 2011, joining USL Pro club Wilmington Hammerheads.[1] He made his professional debut on 17 April 2011 in Wilmington's first game of the 2011 season, a 1–0 win over the Rochester Rhinos,[4] and scored his first professional goal on 29 April, in a 3–2 win over the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.[5]
Wilmington re-signed Nicholson for the 2012 season on 13 February 2012.[6]
After five years with Wilmington, Nicholson signed with FC Cincinnati ahead of their inaugural 2016 season.[7] Following the conclusion of the 2017 season, Nicholson announced his retirement from professional football.[8]
Coaching
editNicholson was the head coach at Cincinnati Dutch Lions FC in the USL League 2. In his first season as head coach the Lions had a 6-4-4 record and finished 3rd in the Great Lakes Division. In his second season has the head coach, in 2019, the Lions finished slightly better with a 6-3-5 record but fell just short of the USL League 2 playoffs. In 2019, Nicholson and the Dutch Lions won the Subway Cup, winning the season series against their rival Dayton Dutch Lions FC. In 2020, he left the club.[9]
In 2021, he became the head coach of USL League Two club Kings Hammer SC.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b "Wilmington Hammerheads". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
- ^ [1] Archived 9 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [2] Archived 20 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [3] Archived 19 July 2012 at archive.today
- ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 15 July 2012.
- ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 18 July 2012.
- ^ Weingartner, Tana (7 December 2015). "FC Cincinnati Announces First Eleven Players". Wvxu.org. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
- ^ Kimura, Fumi (6 November 2017). "Paul Nicholson Announces Retirement". FC Cincinnati. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2017.
- ^ Sparks, Ryan (7 August 2020). "Cincinnati Dutch Lions part ways with Nicholson, Ponchak". Cincinnati Soccer Talk.
- ^ Brazzell, Boston (19 February 2021). "Cincinnati is back in USL League Two with addition of Kings Hammer". Cincinnati Soccer Talk.
External links
edit- Media related to Paul Nicholson (footballer) at Wikimedia Commons
- Paul Nicholson at USL Championship
- Rio Grande profile