Former Southampton FC manager and player Chris Nicholl dies

Chris Nicholl peacefully passed away on Saturday evening, aged 77.

Sharing the news on Facebook, his daughter Cathy Nicholl said he passed away in hospital.

He fought a long battle with CTE caused by his dedication to the sport he loved.

Paying tribute to her father, Cathy said: “He was absolutely dedicated to football and everything revolved around it.

“Despite his illness, he would still go on long walks and go out with us.

“We are a tightknit family and we have done lots of things together while he’s been in care.”

Cathy fondly recalled a trip to St Mary’s Stadium in January to watch Saints take on Walsall – two teams Chris managed in the past.

‘We all congregated at The Saints Pub and the applause dad received was amazing, it blew me away’, she said.

Cathy added: “I got really emotional.

“We watched the match in a box at the stadium and watching two teams he managed was amazing.”

Chris’ son Paul Nicholl said his father’s dedication to football was clear from the outset.

‘He was so dedicated and mum knew that when she married him’, he said.

Chris also had a penchant for other sports, including tennis, golf, and snooker.

But above all, Paul will remember his personality.

He said: “Dad was a generous man who was always willing to help people and be friendly.

“He was always happy and smiling, even when he would become tired in recent years.

“When dad was manager at Saints, there were a few disgruntled fans but I don’t often hear people speak badly of him.

“He was well regarded and a nice human.”

Chris signed for Southampton in June 1977 and made 228 appearances for the Saints.

He returned to the club in 1985 as manager following Lawrie McMenemy’s resignation.

He managed the club for six seasons and was responsible for inducting some of the most successful players into the first team, including Matt Le Tissier and Alan Shearer.

Chris started his career at Burnley but later dropped down to non-league side Witton Albion.

He then established himself as a centre-half with Aston Villa before joining Southampton.

After a managing stint at Southampton he moved to Walsall.

Chris leaves behind his wife Jane, children Paul and Cathy, and grandchildren Lewis, Owen, Kristina, Lucy and Haizea.

No funeral arrangements have yet been made.