Nicholl appointed new manager

Cowdenbeath Football Club is delighted to confirm the appointment of Jimmy Nicholl as new manager.

The Club received a large number of high quality applications and Donald Findlay and a club delegation met with shortlisted candidates on Tuesday night. Following these discussions Jimmy Nicholl was offered the position as manager of Cowdenbeath Football Club, as the unanimous choice of the Board, and Jimmy has agreed to take over the reins at Central Park for the 2010/11 First Division campaign.

"I am delighted to welcome Jimmy to Central Park", commented Donald Findlay, Club Chairman.

"I have known him personally for many years and I look forward to working with him. He has many qualities and considerable experience and I am sure his appointment will excite all our supporters. Jimmy knows that I am determined to do everything to establish us as a First Division Club and he is keen to take on the challenge, as I would expect.

"I ask everyone who has a soft spot for Cowdenbeath to get behind Jimmy and our players and help us take the Blue Brazil forward."

The new manager has wasted no time getting to work after taking in the training session tonight and meeting the players.

"I am looking forward to the challenge of managing Cowdenbeath Football Club and working with this terrific group of players", said Jimmy Nicholl.

"I talked to a number of people about the club and met with the chairman on Tuesday and have a gut feeling that this is a positive place to be.

"I have total respect for what Danny Lennon and the players have achieved over the last two years and it is my intention to gain their respect and continue to take this club forward.

"I am excited about the challenges that lie ahead but the big thing for me is the work in the dressing room and the training ground. I have a real enthusiasm for the game and am determined to work hard for the benefit of this football club.

"The season coming is a big step up and the focus initially will be on preparing the squad for the 1st Division campaign and looking at areas of the squad we need to strengthen. However I am fully aware of the bigger picture and will be looking to take the club out into the community.

"The hard work starts now and the players have to be ready for the challenges that lie ahead."

Jimmy is looking to bring a player/assistant manager to the club and hopes to be in a position to make an announcement next week.

The former Northern Irish international has a wealth of experience as a manager and a coach, including a spell as assistant manager to the legendary Billy Bingham at Windsor Park.

He began his managerial career with Fife neighbours Raith Rovers in 1990 and led the Starks Park club into the Scottish Premier Division and also won the League Cup in 1994 with a 3-2 win over Celtic in the final. Nicholl also took Raith to the 2nd round of the UEFA Cup before being eliminated by eventual winners Bayern Munich - a certain Danny Lennon scored that infamous goal away from home to put Raith 1-0 up at half-time.

Nicholl moved south to manage Millwall in 1996 before returning to Raith Rovers for a second spell in charge followed by a short spell as caretaker boss at Dunfermline. He stayed on at East End Park as assistant to Jimmy Calderwood and more recently assisted Calderwood at both Aberdeen and Kilmarnock in the SPL.

Nicholl was a distinguished defender in his playing days, winning 73 caps for Northern Ireland. He was an integral part of Bingham’s great Northern Irish side of the early eighties and featured at the 1982 World Cup in Spain and again four years later at Mexico 86.

His impressive playing career included successful spells at Manchester United, Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Rangers.

The Club would wish to thank all those who expressed an interest in the position.