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Personal
Fullname: Gary Nicol
aka:
Born: 7 September 1980
Birthplace: Inverness
Height: 5' 9" (175cm)
Signed: July 1997
Position: Attacking Midfield / Forward
Left Celtic: April 1999
Biog
Gary Nicol came from the Aberdeen area. He joined Celtic on July 1997 on a 1 year contract. He had been spotted by the scout in the North East and recommended to the club. After a 6 month trial period during season 1996-97 he was offered a contract. He had previously played for Sheddocksley Villa Boys Club, from the Mastrick area of Aberdeen.
An attacking forward he went straight into the Youth squad but in his second game he sustained a knee injury that required cartilage surgery which kept him out for the best part of three months. When he came back in January 1998 he forced his way back into the Youth squad and began to pick up Reserve sub and starting spots.
Given a further 1 year contract to July 1999, the next season saw him playing for the U18 squad, needing some time out to recover from an ankle injury. At this stage he was also called up to the Northern Ireland U18 panel via his Irish heritage.
With the U-18 and U-21 squads re-assessed by Eric Black and the Academy coaches, Gary was released in early April 1999 and joined Inverness Caledonian Thistle making 4 appearances for them. At the end of the season he was released and joined Ross County for 1999-00. After 1 appearance he was loaned to Cowdenbeath where he made a further 2 appearances before returning north. On release he joined Highland League side Huntly enjoying a couple of seasons with them before switching to Deveronvale briefly.
Having again worn out his welcome, and apparently struggling with his appetite for football, Nicol then dropped down to play for Sunnybank Juniors and Ellon United over the next couple of years.
In 2005-06 he joined Highland League Keith alongside Allan Fraser before switching to Inverurie Locos in summer 2007. Still lacking in motivation he soon afterward announced a sabbatical from the game, citing the need to spend more time with his young family. It was therefore something of a shock when he emerged from semi-retirement to fire the decisive goal in Inverurie Locos' 2008 Highland League Cup final win in May, having not played since the previous November. His undoubted class and keen nose for goal clearly undimmed by inactivity.
In 2008-09 he was back playing and scoring regularly for Keith.
Playing Career
Season Team League Appearances League Goals 1996-97 Sheddocksley Villa Boys Club 1997-99 Celtic Youth, U-18 & U-21 squad games; Glasgow Cup, BP Youth Cup 1998-99 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4 0 1999-00 Ross County 1 0 Cowdenbeath (loan) 2 0 2000-01 Huntly 2001-02 Huntly Deveronvale 2002-05 Sunnybank Juniors, Ellon United 2005-07 Keith 2007-08 Inverurie Locos 14 10 2008-09 Inverurie Locos 1 1 Keith
Inverurie Locos stats courtesy of inverurielocoworks.com
Honours
with Keith – Highland League Championship 2006-07
Northern Ireland U18 squad
Pictures
Links
- Celtic release 11 players – (bottom of page) Independent, 6/5/99
- Highland League Cup Final 2008 @ inverurielocoworks.com
"The Locos clinched victory seven minutes from time with Gary Nicol, back in for his first game since November, coming off the bench to set the seal on a fine win."