Peter Nicholas

Crystal Palace

Nicholas was born in Maesglas, Newport. He joined his first professional club, Crystal Palace, in 1976 as a youth player. He spent five seasons at Selhurst Park, and played over 150 matches for the club, picking up the Second Division title in 1978–79. In the meantime he had made his debut for Wales, and would go on to win 73 caps for his country, scoring two goals. Originally a centre half, he was later moved into midfield and became known as a tough-tackling and uncompromising defensive midfielder.

Arsenal

Crystal Palace could not sustain their place in the top flight and Nicholas was sold to Arsenal in March 1981 for £500,000, shortly before Palace's relegation back to the Second Division. At Arsenal, Nicholas went straight into the first team and didn't finish on a losing side for the rest of the 1980–81 season. He made 41 appearances the next season, and became captain of Wales as well. However, a series of injuries in the 1982–83 season meant his place in the Arsenal side became uncertain. In all, he played 80 matches for Arsenal, scoring three goals. His goals came in the league against Ipswich Town in April 1981 and he scored further goals in the League Cup; one against Norwich City in the 1981–82 season and one against Manchester United in the semi-final (first leg) of the 1982–83 League Cup. He is also remembered for going in goal in an FA Cup tie against rivals Tottenham Hotspur in January 1982 after Pat Jennings was injured.

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Player

Crystal Palace FA Youth Cup Winner: 1 1978 Chelsea Division Two Champion 1988-89 ZDS Cup Winner Wembley 1990

Manager

Llanelli

Welsh Premier League Winner: 2007–08 Welsh League Cup Winner: 2008 Individual

League of Wales Manager of the Season: 2000–01, 2007–08