FORMER Aston Villa and Southampton star Chris Nicholl has died at the age of 77.
The English-born defender represented Northern Ireland at international level.
Nicholl was well loved at Villa ParkRex
Nicholl also managed the SaintsRex
PAHis former clubs have paid tribute[/caption]
The defender came through the ranks at Burnley but is best remembered for his spells at Aston Villa and Southampton – going on to manager the latter.
He spent six years as Southampton manager before managing Wallsall from 1994 to 1997.
Nicholl made his debut for Northern Ireland in 1974 and won 51 caps for his country.
He played all five of Northern Ireland’s games during the 1982 World Cup, which included beating hosts Spain 1-0.
He also had spells at Halifax, Luton and Grimsby over the course of a 19 year professional playing career.
Later on in his managerial career, he had a stint as Northern Ireland’s assistant manager between 1998 and 2000.
Nicholl made 210 appearances for Villa before playing 228 times for Southampton.
In the 2017 BBC documentary “Dementia, Football and Me” with Alan Shearer he revealed he was battling dementia.
He said he was fighting the disease after becoming “brain-damaged from heading balls”.