Alan Shearer Gives Final Respect To Aston Villa And Southampton Legends, Chris Nicholl

Chris Nicholl was once the star of Aston Villa (doc. REX).

JAKARTA - Chris Nicholl passed away at the age of 77, Sunday, February 25, 2024, local time.

The final tribute to former Aston Villa and Southampton stars has flowed. One of them is from the legend of the England national team, Alan Shearer.

The former Newcastle United star has an emotional bond with Nicholl. The late was instrumental in his football career.

Without the trust of Nicholl, Shearer would not be a top 1990s player until 2000s.

Nicholl is a coach who gave Shearer the opportunity to appear in Southampton's senior team when he was still a young player.

"RIP Chris Nicholl. You believed in me and gave me a chance. Thank you," Shearer wrote on his personal X account.

A number of clubs that Nicholl had defended also paid his last respects to him, including the Northern Ireland national team.

"We are saddened to learn of the death of Chris Nicholl. He played 51 times for us, including the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Our thoughts are on his family and friends at this time," read a statement from the Northern Irish Football Federation.

"Aston Villa is very sad to learn that the death of former player Chris Nicholl, who died at the age of 77. Everyone's thoughts at the club are on Chris' family and friends in this difficult time."

"Promotion twice and winning the League Cup is Chris Nicholl's achievement with us that will never be forgotten."

"He was the dominant figure at the heart of Aston Villa's defense for more than five seasons. He made 252 appearances and scored 20 goals. Rest in peace, Chris," wrote Aston Villa's official statement.

It didn't stop there, the clubs that Nicholl had worked on also offered condolences.

For example, Walsall, whom he had instructed in the 1994-1997 period before becoming an assistant coach in the Northern Ireland national team.

"We are deeply devastated to learn that former manager Chris Nicholl has passed away. Chris led Saddlers (Walsall's nickname) from 1994 to 1997 and brought promotions to Division Two in an impressive 1994-95 campaign."

"Our thoughts are on his family and friends at this very sad moment."

Finally, Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier also expressed his loss. Just like Shearer, Le Tissuer also felt Nicholl's cold hands in the 1986-1991 period.

"My family's thoughts and prayers are addressed to my first family manager Chris Nicholl who has passed away."

"I will always thank Chris for believing in me as a 17-year-old teenager who gave me the opportunity to prove that I was good enough to be a professional footballer. Lost, but never forgotten," said Le Tissuer.

Chris Nicholl struggles with brain disease towards the end of his life. He once revealed this struggle in a 2017 BBC documentary entitled Dementia, Football and Me with Alan Shearer.

The British-born defender represented Northern Ireland at the international level. Nicholl made his debut for Northern Ireland in 1974 and has already collected 51 caps for his country.

He played fifth in Northern Ireland's game during the 1982 World Cup, including beating Spain 1-0.

While at club level, Nicholl graduated from Burnley, but is best remembered with Aston Villa and Southampton.

Nicholl made 210 appearances for Villa before playing 228 times for Southampton.

He has also played in Halipax, Luton, and Grimsby for 19 years of his professional career.

Then, in his managerial career, he spent six years as Southampton boss before leading Walsall from 1994 to 1997.

He later served as assistant coach of the Northern Ireland national team between 1998 and 2000.