Nicholas in shock switch to Neath
Neath FC have made the shock annoucnement that former Wales international Peter Nicholas has joined the club.
A club statement was issued at 2:00pm this afternoon confirming the news and stated;
"Peter brings a wealth of experience that can only compliment the current young and successful coaching set up."
He returns to the League after less than a season away. On May 27th last year, Llanelli announced that the former Wales International would be leaving the club when his contract expired four days later.
Peter brings a wealth of experience that can only compliment the current young and successful coaching set up
Nicholas guided Llanelli AFC to their first-ever Welsh Premier League Title in an outstanding 2007/08 Season for the Reds. They also scooped the Loosemores League Cup and finished Runners-Up in the Welsh Cup, and it gained the ex-Wales International the award of Principality Welsh Premier League Manager of the Season in 2007/08.
The following Season, Llanelli finished Runners-Up to Rhyl and Chairman Nitin Parekh decided to make a change at the top and Nicholas was replaced by player Andy Legg. Nicholas is currently the Assistant Manager of the Wales Semi Professional Team.
His first spell managing in the League of Wales was with Barry Town where he won the title in 2000/01. He then headed West to assist Colin Addison at Swansea where they took the Swans from danger of relegation to a position of respectability, but financial pressures on the club brought about their departure. In November 2002, he became boss of Newport County where he stayed until 2004. He joined the Reds in August 2005 as a coach working with Director of Football Lucas Carzola Luque, but the Spaniard left in February 2006 and Nicholas was made Team Manager. He won the Runners Up medal in the Welsh Premier in 2005/2006, a then-highest ever position for the Reds, and he also guided his side to a UEFA Cup First Qualifying Round victory over Swedish side, Gefle.
The UEFA 'A' Licensed coach also boasts an illustrious playing career and his first professional club was Crystal Palace, with whom he began in 1976 as a youth player. He spent five seasons at Selhurst Park, and played over 150 matches for the Eagles, picking up the Second Division title up in 1978-79. In the meantime he had made his debut for Wales, and went on to win 73 International caps. Originally a centre half, he was later converted to become a tough-tackling and uncompromising defensive midfielder.
However, despite his best efforts, the Eagles 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.
Looking for first team football, he returned to Palace on loan in Auguat 1983 and at the end of that season the move was made permanent for £150,000. However, his second spell at Palace was not as successful, and he signed for Luton Town in 1985. He played over 100 games for the Hatters and his form noticeably improved; he was signed by Aberdeen for £350,000 in 1987.
In 1987-88, he reached the Scottish League Cup final, against Rangers; the match finished 3-3 and missed a penalty in the ensuing shootout, which meant Aberdeen went home empty-handed. He later had spells with Chelsea (winning another Second Division winners' medal), and Watford before retiring in 1993.
After retirement, he became Chelsea's youth coach, before returning to his old club Crystal Palace to take the same role there. He was later promoted to assistant manager at Palace, before taking his first as Managerial position at Barry Town. He has also Managed at International level, when he was in charge of the Wales Under 17's for 18 months in the UEFA Championships.
