Brian Nicholas
Although born in the South Wales mining village of Cwmaman, near Aberdare, an area more famous for producing rugby players than footballers, his parents moved to Slough when he was four-years old. Brian was an outstanding schoolboy player and despite being Welsh-born was selected for England schoolboys. In April 1948 he played at Highfield Road for England against Wales. In the same England side were future full internationals Albert Quixall and Norman Deeley. Over 25,000 watched England win 2-1.
His outstanding performances in four internationals earned him an apprentice contract at Queens Park Rangers and a year later at the age of 16 the red-headed youngster made an impressive debut against a 17-year old John Charles playing for Leeds United.
After leaving school Brian didn’t grow much and his lack of height meant that wing-half was a better position for him and by 1951 he was a regular at right-half for the Loftus Road side. He played 121 games but never managed a goal.
In 1955 after an excellent season for Rangers he attracted the interest of newly-crowned league champions Chelsea. The Blues paid £5,000 for his signature but in three years at the Bridge he found it hard to become a regular and made only 30-odd appearances. He played alongside some of England’s brightest stars including Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Smith and Coventry-born keeper Reg Matthews.
Billy Frith signed him for City in February 1958, paying £3,000 for him and the following season he was key player in the first half of the promotion season. On Boxing Day however he seriously injured his cruciate ligaments against Torquay and missed three months.
The following season the City looked good bets for promotion until a disastrous Easter and finished fourth. Brian played 127 games for City and managed a solitary goal in a Southern Floodlit Cup game with Southend.
When Hill took over in late 1961 Nicholas retained his place at first but at the season’s end he was told he wasn’t part of his plans. He got a job at Massey Ferguson and played for Rugby Town and later Hinckly Town .
