Yet more very sad news this evening with the death of Chris Nicholl who's long career in the professional game was launched when Ken Barnes signed him for us in the summer of 1966.

After making 109 appearances, scoring 6 goals Chris joined Halifax Town for a paltry £750. He then later played for Luton Town, Aston Villa, Southampton and Grimsby as well as representing Northern Ireland 51 times.

Upon hanging up his boots he took to management in 1985 in charge at Southampton for 6 years and then Walsall between 1994 & 97. 1998 saw him as Northern Ireland's Assistant manager for a couple of years.

In 2017, Chris told Alan Shearer as part of a BBC documentary of his fears over the damage he had suffered during his playing career. He said: “I am brain-damaged from heading footballs. My memory is in trouble. Everyone forgets regular things, where your keys are. But when you forget where you live, that’s different. I’ve had that for the last four or five years, it is definitely getting worse. It bothers me.”

The thoughts and condolences from all of us here at Witton Albion go out to Chris's family and friends.