Charlie Nicholas

Charlie Nicholas (born December 30 1961) is a former Scottish professional football player. He started his career with Celtic, making his debut in 1980, at the age of 19. He had a superb 1982-83 season which saw him score fifty goals and win the Scottish Footballer of the Year and Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year awards.

Related Topics:
December 30 - 1961 - Scottish - Football - Celtic - 1980 - 1982-83 - Scottish Footballer of the Year - Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year

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He moved to Arsenal in June 1983 for £800,000. However, Nicholas did not live up to the hype surrounding his move; for all his skill and ability, his workrate let him down; he only scored 11 goals in his first season (although two were a memorable brace against Tottenham in the North London derby). Nicholas barely broke double figures in the following seasons, and fell out with Arsenal's new manager George Graham with the latter's arrival in 1986. Despite scoring both goals in Arsenal's 2-1 League Cup final victory over Liverpool in 1987, Nicholas was dropped at the start of the 1987-88 season in favour of Perry Groves. In all he scored 54 goals in 184 matches for the Gunners.

Related Topics:
Arsenal - 1983 - Tottenham - North London derby - George Graham - 1986 - League Cup - Liverpool - 1987 - 1987-88 - Perry Groves

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He was sold to Aberdeen in January 1988, and rediscovered his form before returing to Celtic in 1990. He played briefly with Clyde before retiring in 1996. He won a total of 20 caps for Scotland, scoring 5 goals.

Related Topics:
Aberdeen - 1988 - 1990 - Clyde - 1996 - Scotland

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He now earns a living as a pundit on Sky Sports and as a part-time newspaper columnist. However, his forthright views on Scottish football have earned him many enemies, both amongst players, due to his regular tirades against the Scottish national side, and fans, amongst whom he is (remarkably) universally loathed, regardless of loyalties.

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