Sydney Nicholls

Sydney Nicholls
Born	Template:Birth date Hartpury, England
Died	November 24, 1946(1946-11-24) (aged 78)
Occupation(s)	Rugby union player, rugby league player, sports administrator, publican
Known for	Rugby union and rugby league career; founding chairman of Cardiff City F.C.

Sydney Herbert Nicholls (29 May 1868 – 24 November 1946) was an English-born rugby forward who competed in both union and league formats. He represented Cardiff RFC in rugby union before switching to rugby league with Hull F.C.. Nicholls earned four international caps playing for Wales and was a member of the Welsh side that triumphed over the pioneering Southern Hemisphere touring team, the New Zealand Natives. He was the older sibling of the renowned Welsh rugby figure Gwyn Nicholls and father to Welsh football international Jack Nicholls.

Life history

Born in 1868 in Hartpury, England, Nicholls was the second oldest among six siblings. His family moved to Wales during the mid-1870s, settling in the district of Roath. Following his retirement from rugby union, he entered the hospitality industry by acquiring the Grand Hotel, located opposite Cardiff Arms Park, in 1894. He ran this establishment until 1901, when he transitioned into professional rugby league by signing with Hull F.C. for a significant five-figure fee, eventually returning to Wales in 1910.

Nicholls played an instrumental role in founding Cardiff City F.C., becoming its inaugural chairman as the club joined the Southern League Second Division in 1910. Between 1920 and 1921, he held the position of Chairman of the South Wales Football Association Council and served as a director during Cardiff City's notable run to the 1927 F.A. Cup final. He was influential in important team decisions, including nearly removing captain Fred Keenor prior to the final—a choice that was reversed, culminating in Cardiff’s historic 1–0 victory over Arsenal. Nicholls appeared in newsreels presenting King George V to the squad and sat beside the monarch during the match. By June 1928, he had advanced to vice-president of F.A. Wales.

Around 1920, Nicholls began a second family with Katherine Brennan, fathering five sons and one daughter outside of marriage—a situation considered scandalous at the time. After suffering financial losses during the 1929 stock market crash, he raised his family under modest circumstances in Splott, Cardiff throughout the 1930s. He married Brennan in 1934.

Rugby career

Nicholls joined Cardiff RFC as a youth and contributed to their Second XV's undefeated season in 1885–86. By 1888, he had advanced to the first team, scoring an impressive eleven tries—a remarkable achievement for a forward—and later served as vice-captain under Charlie Arthur.

He made his international debut for Wales in 1888 facing the New Zealand Natives at St. Helen's, Swansea, amid a tense atmosphere due to limited representation from Swansea players. Among eight new caps including teammate Norman Biggs, Nicholls played a pivotal role in Wales’ 5–0 victory by assisting Jim Hannan’s try. One week later, he scored a try for Cardiff during their victory over the same touring New Zealand side.

Nicholls was selected again for Wales during the 1889 Home Nations Championship, appearing against Scotland and Ireland. Despite defeats, selectors retained him until William Williams replaced him after that year’s tournament. He made one final international appearance in the 1891 Championship against Scotland, where Wales suffered a heavy loss.

After retiring from rugby union in 1891, Nicholls switched codes in 1901 by joining Hull Rugby League for the 1901/02 season. He remained with Hull until retiring at age 41 in 1910.

International fixtures contested under the union code

Wales

• 1888
• 1889
• 1889, 1891