Craig Nicholson (footballer)

Craig Nicholson

Personal information
Date of birth	3 January 1989 (1989-01-03) (age 22)
Place of birth	England
Youth career
	Chesterfield
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
	Kidderminster Harriers	26	(29)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Craig Nicholson is one of the most prolific lower-league forwards to grace the modern game. Starting his career at Chesterfield, Nicholson scored 115 goals in 234 youth team appearances to link him with big money moves to [[[Sheffield United]] and Rotherham United. None of these materialised and when he turned 18 his contract with Chesterfield ended, and with it his football dream. That was until Kidderminster Harriers realised he was a free agent. Nicholson, who had just commenced a course at the University of Sheffield, was signed for part-time Harriers on a pay-as-you-play deal initially. After five goals in four games, notably a hat trick against Wrexham in the FA Cup, this was soon turned into a two-year deal. A tragic cycling accident prematurely ended his time at the Aggborough Stadium, but fans will never forget his record haul of 26 goals in 29 games in the 2010/11 campaign.

The Glory Years

During his time at Kidderminster, he formed a formidable partnership with fellow striker Steve Guinan and between them they notched a Blue Square Premier Record of ten goals in one half against lowly Barrow. Two play off finals, two stories of despair, but Nicholson's 26 in 29 is still club legend. But he will mainly be remembered for one individual moment of brilliance...

That Goal

In the FA Cup third round replay, January 17, 2011. Kidderminster had magnificently held on for a 0-0 draw at home to Manchester United and were now in the 87th minute at Old Trafford, in the reverse tie, all square. "I remember one of our lads taking a corner and when it was headed away I thought 'This is mine'" said Nicholson after the moment that changed his life forever. The ball dropped out the sky, and from a full 60-yards he sent the ball flying past the despairing Van de Sar. The world of football stood still. Nicholson had announced himself on the centre stage. Alan Hansen later described the strike as "one of the better goals I've seen."

The Injury

The nation awoke to the news, on June 27, 2011, that Nicholson had suffered a suspected career ending injury and, although this initial diagnosis was incorrect, his time in semi-pro football was over. A testimonial match between Nicholson's boyhood club Sheffield United and Kidderminster was arranged at Bramall Lane, the former winning 3-1, but the night will be remembered only for the nation saying goodbye to a player they would never forget.

References

bbc.co.uk/sport

External links

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