Tony Nicholl

Tony Nicholl (1 January 1916 – 11 March 1999) was a Maltese

Nicholl was extremely versatile and able to perform well in any position. He played on the attacking flanks, in a central striking role and, before he retired, also in the middle of a defensive pack.[4]

Honours

• Maltese Premier League: 1932–33, 1933–34, 1935–36, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1948–49, 1953–54, 1955–56, 1956–57
• Maltese FA Trophy: 1934–35, 1935–36, 1936–37, 1939–40, 1947–48, 1950–51, 1951–52, 1955–56
• Cassar Cup: 1933–34, 1934–35, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1945–46, 1955–56, 1956–57
• Scicluna Cup: 1949–50, 1950–51, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1955–56, 1956–57

Personal life

The youngest of 23 siblings, born in 1916 to Annie, née Camilleri, and Samuel Nicholl, Tony started his footballing days in Sliema's Primary School. Family relocation then took him temporarily to Marsa school.^[4]

In his childhood, Tony was already a football fanatic. He used to play with friends in the many fields around Sliema at the time. Once he had a small accident while playing and hurt his foot. The pain increased and a medical doctor told his parents that the only solution was amputation. But his eldest brother Joe, Sliema Wanderers goalkeeper, asked the club doctor to visit his youngest brother. The medic massaged the child's foot and in a few days the pain had gone.^[3]

Tony was involved in a shooting accident when someone shot at his feet a number of times in Balluta Bay. Though many supporters thought the incident had football rivalry behind it, the investigations found out that the motive had nothing to do with the game. He was injured in both feet and his future in football was in danger. But fortunately he resumed playing and his career continued for a further 11 years.^[3]

References