His first season as manager was my second season as a supporter. Was 8 at the time, alot of good memories, still think his 94/95 team was easily the best team ive seen. Marsh, Gibson, Ntamark, Houghton, Wilson, Killer, Wood, Keister, O’Connor, didnt we have darren rodgers playing too. Met him numerous times, at games, while i was at work he’d come into sainsbury’s reedswood. Rip Chris Nicholl
I had a bad knee. I couldn’t get over the f…ing fence!!!
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RIP big man a true great of the club … cant thank you enough for giving me my first great memory of Walsall FC at Bury
Before my time but his impact for what he did for this club can’t be understated
Would have loved to have seen some of the great managers with the players they had do there things but unfortunately it was to early for me
RIP and best wishes for your family and friend
Walsall legends are never forgotten and are never gone
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Devastated by the News as I’m sure any Saddlers fan of a certain age will be.
So highly respected and not just by Saddlers fans, they were just talking about him on Talk radio. They were saying he was respected by the refs as well as if he didn’t agree with a decision it was dealt with the proper way behind closed doors.
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RIP.
Those Saddlers who helped him in recent years as his health declined did the club proud.
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Rest in peace Chris you where and always will be remembered as a diamond geezer
I had to wear a neck brace for two weeks after that game. The ball spent 70 odd minutes in the air, and on the odd occasion it hit the deck, the pitch was so hard, the ball went even higher into the air.
RIP Chris
Brilliant night - one of my best memories too - RIP Chris Nichol
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Very sad news, especially so soon after BFJ.
Last week there was a minute’s applause and a chorus or 2 of “Big Fat Jan’s barmy army”. What would be a fitting tribute to Chris (I don’t recall a specific chant associated with him when he was here)?
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Thanks for the memories Chris.
I was one of the lucky ones who went over the fence at Bury to celebrate in style. Memories like that in football following our beloved Saddlers never get forgotten.
He went in to the dressing room telling the players “I want promotion” and boy did they respond for the big man.
Rest easy Chris.
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Think his chant was the same as Sir Ray but obviously using Chris or maybe Chrissy Nicholl. There’s only one Chris Nicholl, walking along, singing a song…
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Been out all day so just catching up with this thread, to say I’m deeply saddened is an understatement, Chris was a wonderful human being, I had the pleasure of meeting him many times especially the latter years when he had been diagnosed. I often bumped into him while out taking a stroll and we would chat about WFC and football in general, he had a wonderful sense of humour, such sad, sad news. Condolences to his family and friends it was an honour to know him and I know all saddlers will remember him with affection and gratitude, one last thought, thank you to everyone connected to ISSA for all the support and respect you gave the big man on our behalf 
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Yes Wiki has it as he came in to help Sir Ray in November 2001 and then quit two months later out of loyalty when the ridiculous sacking happened.
Was a bit too young to remember any of his tenure but getting club going again and out of the fourth tier certainly gets my respect given the current troubles of doing just that.
Some of those strange quirks in life that Big Jan replaced him in summer 1997 and they’ve both passed away within days of each other.
Like everyone else absolutely devastated to hear this news, what a bloke.
Had the pleasure many times to thank the Gaffa for many happy memories he gave me following the Saddlers at the time he was manager when meeting him at the railway before games when he was a guest, he’s always say “I bet you was one of them that booed me”.
The ISSA team done so much for him and for that we should be grateful even naming the area the back of the club “The Chris Nicholl Arena”, everyone associated with ISSA deserve applause.
I last seen the Gaffa early January when his daughter Cathy brought him to the pub we’d all gathered before the cup game with Southampton, managed to have a very quick chat as everyone wanted to speak to him, his face when he walked in and we all burst into chorus of “there’s only one Chris Nicholl…” was amazing.
Thanks for the memories and finally at peace from that horrid illness, sleep tight and condolences to the Nicholl family at this sad time 
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RIP Chris Nicholl, a true footballing gent!
Fifty years ago he presented me with an award at our clubs annual awards evening - a class bloke
Rest In Peace Chris, you were and will always be a legend.Thoughts are with family and friends at this difficult time.
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I never agreed with the sacking of Sir Ray, I’d rather have got relegated with him than stay up without him. I’ve always believed that, but that’s another story I guess.
It was Hibbitt’s team that started 94-95, heavily influenced by Paul Taylor signings I suspect. It was clear we had a good team but they started poorly, and Hibbitt was sacked, although it isn’t clear it was for football matters from some of the rumours. Nicholl just gave them that winning mentality and was clearly light years ahead tactically. It was a hard fought promotion race, firstly because they were readjusting the leagues so only 2 automatic places that season. Secondly cos Carslisle were streets ahead of the rest, and Chesterfield were a really good side too. It felt like they never lost and I am sure it felt the same to them at times too. They came to Bescot and beat us comfortably around March at a guess which was a real kick in the balls, We were also winning at Carslisle with 5 minutes left and ended up losing but we bounced back from both well.
After promotion, we had a difficult start. Performances weren’t bad but results weren’t going great. I don’t think we were that far away from being a playoff side but we never seemed to just get the consistency over a season. I still think Nicholl could have gone on and done for us similar to what Graydon did. If I remember rightly Nicholl left because he didn’t want to be involved in football anymore.
He took us over with us struggling in mid table in division 4, and left us pushing in the top half of division 3. That is solid work by anyones definition of success.
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Wonder if it could be suggested to the powers that be that a portion of gate receipts could be put forward to pay for the funerals of Chris Nicholl and Jan Sorensen ? That’s if the families were willing to allow . They’re brought so much joy to us Walsall fans and will be greatly missed .
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