Aston Villa and Southampton legend passes away at the age of 77

Chris Nicholl, the England-born defender, rose through the ranks at Burnley before journeying through various clubs including Witton Albion, Halifax Town, Luton Town, and Grimsby Town. However, his most notable stints were at Aston Villa and Southampton, where he later managed the latter.

Making his Northern Ireland debut in 1974 at the age of 28, Nicholl went on to earn 51 caps and scored three times, including on his debut. He represented his country in all five games during the 1982 World Cup and earned his final cap on his 37th birthday in October 1983.

Following his passing, Northern Ireland’s Twitter account expressed sadness, acknowledging Nicholl’s contributions to the national team, particularly during the 1982 World Cup. Aston Villa, where Nicholl made 210 appearances, also shared their condolences, highlighting his achievements and impact during his time at the club.

In remembrance, Villa shared a video of Nicholl scoring in the 1977 League Cup final and winning the trophy, honoring his legacy as a two-time promotion and League Cup winner. They described him as a dominant figure in their defense, making 252 appearances and scoring 20 goals during his tenure.

Nicholl had previously disclosed his battles with dementia, attributing it to heading footballs. In a 2017 BBC documentary titled ‘Dementia, Football and Me,’ he shared his struggles with memory loss and the impact it had on his daily life, expressing concern over its progression. His openness shed light on the issue of dementia in football and its effects on players’ health beyond their playing careers.