Bill Nicholson (footballer) facts for kids
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Bill Nicholson in 1961
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Edward Nicholson | ||
| Date of birth | 26 January 1919 | ||
| Place of birth | Scarborough, North Riding of Yorkshire, England | ||
| Date of death | 23 October 2004 (aged 85) | ||
| Place of death | Hertfordshire, England | ||
| Playing position | Wing-half | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Young Liberals | |||
| Scarborough Working Men’s Club | |||
| 1936–1938 | Tottenham Hotspur | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1938 | Northfleet United | ||
| 1938–1955 | Tottenham Hotspur | 314 | (6) |
| National team | |||
| 1951 | England | 1 | (1) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1958–1974 | Tottenham Hotspur | ||
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William Edward Nicholson (born January 26, 1919 – died October 23, 2004) was an English football player, coach, manager, and scout. He spent 55 years working with Tottenham Hotspur. Many people see him as one of the most important people in the club's history. As manager for 16 years, he helped the team win eight major trophies. His most famous achievement was leading them to win both the league and the FA Cup in the 1960–61 season. This is known as the "Double."
Contents
Early Life and Joining Spurs
Bill Nicholson was born in Scarborough. He was one of nine children. After leaving school, he worked briefly in a laundry. At age 17, he got a chance to try out for Tottenham Hotspur. He joined the club on March 16, 1936. Before that, he played for local youth teams.
After a month-long trial, he was hired to help out at the club. He earned £2 a week. He also played for Spurs' junior team, Northfleet United. He won a Kent Senior Cup medal with them. In August 1938, he became a full professional player for Tottenham. His first Football League game was on October 22, 1938.
Playing Career Highlights
When World War II started in 1939, Nicholson joined the army. As a professional footballer, he became a sergeant-instructor. He trained new soldiers during the war. He also played as a guest for other clubs, like Newcastle United. Even though the war took away half his playing career, he felt it taught him important skills. These skills helped him manage people later on.
In 1946, Nicholson returned to play for Spurs. He played as a centre half for two seasons. Then he moved to right half for six more years. He was a key player in the famous "push and run" Tottenham team. This team won the league championship in the 1950–51 season.
He played his first game for the England national team on May 19, 1951. It was against Portugal. He scored a goal with his very first touch of the ball, after only 19 seconds! This was his only game for England. He often put his club first, and also faced injuries. He once said, "My duty is to get fit for Tottenham. Well, they pay my wages, don't they?"
Becoming a Manager
After he stopped playing, Nicholson became a coach at Tottenham. He quickly moved up the ranks. In 1955, he became the first team coach. He also helped the England manager at the 1958 FIFA World Cup in Sweden.
On October 11, 1958, Bill Nicholson became the manager of Tottenham Hotspur. At the time, the club was struggling in the league. But this was the start of the club's greatest period. In his first game as manager, Tottenham beat Everton 10–4. This was a new club record.
Less than two years later, Spurs made history. They won both the Football League championship and the FA Cup in the 1960–61 season. This was the first time a team had won the "Double" in the 20th century. Spurs were amazing that year. They won their first eleven games and scored 115 goals in 42 games. The next year, they won the FA Cup again. They almost reached the 1961–62 European Cup Final, but lost in the semi-final.
In the 1962–63 season, Nicholson led Spurs to another historic win. They became the first British club to win a major European trophy. On May 15, 1963, in Rotterdam, Spurs beat Atlético Madrid 5–1. They won the European Cup Winners' Cup.
In 1966–67, Spurs won their third FA Cup in seven years. They beat Chelsea in the first-ever all-London final. More trophies followed in the early 1970s. They won the League Cup in 1970–71 and 1972–73. They also won the UEFA Cup in 1971–72.
As the 1970s went on, Nicholson became less happy with football. He didn't like the rising player wages. He also disliked the fan trouble, known as hooliganism. He was very upset by the hooliganism at the 1974 UEFA Cup Final. Spurs lost that final to Feyenoord. Nicholson decided to resign in September 1974. He said, "The simple truth was that I was burned out, I had no more to offer."
After Managing Spurs
After leaving his manager job, Nicholson worked as an advisor and scout for West Ham United for a year. In 1976, when Keith Burkinshaw became Spurs' manager, he asked for Nicholson to come back. Nicholson returned to White Hart Lane as a consultant. His experience was very helpful. He also helped find new players like Graham Roberts and Gary Mabbutt. Nicholson worked as a consultant until 1991. Then, he was given the title of Club President.
Awards and Recognition
Bill Nicholson was given the OBE award in 1975. In 1999, a road leading to White Hart Lane was named Bill Nicholson Way in his honor. The club also played special matches to honor him. In 2003, Nicholson was added to the English Football Hall of Fame. This was to recognize his huge impact as a manager. Bill Nicholson passed away on October 23, 2004, after a long illness.
A famous quote often linked to Bill Nicholson is: "It is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low." However, sports historian Norman Giller says that Danny Blanchflower, a player Nicholson managed, actually said this first. Blanchflower was known for his thoughtful words.
Honours
As a player
Tottenham Hotspur
- Football League First Division: 1950–51
- Football League Second Division: 1949–50
- FA Charity Shield: 1951
As a manager
Tottenham Hotspur
- Football League First Division: 1960–61
- FA Cup: 1960–61, 1961–62, 1966–67
- Football League Cup: 1970–71, 1972–73
- FA Charity Shield: 1961, 1962, 1967 (shared)
- UEFA Cup: 1971–72, runner up: 1973-74
- European Cup Winners' Cup: 1962–63
- Anglo-Italian League Cup: 1971
See also
- List of UEFA Cup winning managers
- List of English football championship winning managers
