Nicholas joins Neath coaching staff
Thursday 18 February 2010
Peter NicholasFORMER Welsh Premier title-winning manager with Llanelli, Peter Nicholas has joined the coaching staff at Neath.
A short statement from the Eagles says: "Neath FC have pleasure today in confirming that former Wales international Peter Nicholas has joined the club.
"Peter brings a wealth of experience that can only complement the current young and successful coaching set up."
Nicholas, who had a distinguished playing career with Wales, Arsenal and Chelsea, joined Llanelli as first-team coach in August 2005 when the club made the step-up to full time status.
He worked alongside director of football Lucas Cazorla Luque, but was handed the managerial reins until the end of the season when the Spaniard parted company in February 2006.
Nicholas went on to guide the Reds to third place in 2007, before lifting the crown the following season.
But, after a runners-up spot last season his contract was not renewed and he was replaced by Andy Legg.
Neath boss Andrew Dyer has been under considerable pressure in recent weeks after the club's expensively-assembled squad has failed to live up to expectations.
Born in Newport, Nicholas was capped 73 times by Wales after spending four years at Crystal Palace from the age of 16.
He played nearly 130 matches for the club before moving to Arsenal, where he made a further 60 of a total of over 450 Football League appearances.
After returning to Palace he then moved to Luton, Chelsea, Aberdeen and Watford. After leaving Vicarage Road, he began his coaching career with Chelsea’s youth team before returning to Selhurst Park in a similar role, rising to assistant manager during a five-year spell.
He then managed Barry Town in the 2000/1 Welsh Premier season before joining forces with Colin Addison at Swansea City, where they rose from the brink of relegation to a position of respectability, financial pressures on the club bringing about their departure. Nicholas then had a spell at Newport County.