| Full name | Samuel J Nicholl |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 7 May 1934 |
| Birth place | Sliema, Malta |
| Death date | 18 April 2023 (aged 88) |
| Position | Striker |
| Youthclubs 1 | Sliema Shamrocks |
| Years 1 | 1951-1952 |
| Clubs 1 | Żebbuġ Rangers |
| Years 2 | 1952–1964 |
| Clubs 2 | Sliema Wanderers |
| Caps 2 | 140 |
| Goals 2 | 81 |
| Nationalyears 1 | 1957-1962 |
| Nationalteam 1 | Malta |
| Nationalcaps 1 | 7 |
| Nationalgoals 1 | 1 |
| Nationalyears 2 | 1953-1958 |
| Nationalteam 2 | Malta XI |
| Nationalcaps 2 | 15 |
| Nationalgoals 2 | 3 |
Sammy Nicholl (7 May 1934 – 18 April 2023) was a Maltese footballer who played as a striker or winger.
Club career
Born in Sliema, Nicholl started his career at Żebbuġ Rangers[1] but spent the most of his career at hometown club Sliema Wanderers for whom he would score 81 goals in 140 top division games. He debuted for them in October 1952 against Birkirkara and won 5 league titles with The Blues and twice became the league's top goalscorer.[2]
International career
Nicholl made his debut for Malta in a February 1957 friendly match against Austria and earned a total of 7 caps, scoring 1 goal. He scored that goal on his debut, which was Mallta's first ever international game and first ever goal as well.[3] His final international was a December 1962 European Championship qualification match against Denmark.[4]
Personal life
Nicholl was a nephew of Tony Nicholl, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of Maltese football.[3]
He also worked at Barclays Bank in Malta[5] and after his playing career he worked as a sports journalist and pundit.[6] He died in 2023, aged 88.[7]
Honours
- Maltese Premier League: 1954, 1956, 1957, 1964, 1965
- Maltese FA Trophy: 1956, 1959, 1963
References
- ^ Camilleri, Rowen (18 April 2023). "Imut l-eks plejer tat-tim nazzjonali Malti Sammy Nicholl" (in mt). NetNews. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ "Former Malta stalwart Sammy Nicholl passes away". MFA. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ Camilleri, Valhmor (18 April 2023). "Malta football legend Sammy Nicholl, dies, aged 88". Times of Malta. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ "Sammy Nicholl, international football player". EU-football. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ Consiglio, John (23 April 2023). "Appreciation: Samuel J. Nicholl". Times of Malta. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ "Malta Sports Journalists Association mourns Sammy Nicholl". Malta Sports Journalists. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
- ^ "Malta football legend Sammy Nicholl dies, aged 88". Malta Independent. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2025.