‘I am incredibly enthusiastic about the potential at Mousehole. I was taken aback by the club’s footballing philosophy’
Former Torquay United manager Kevin Nicholson has been appointed this week as Mousehole’s new player-manager and Academy director.
In a major coup for the South West Peninsula League team, the 38-year-old says he is excited about the challenge and that the potential and ambition of the club was a major factor in his decision to make the move to Cornwall.
Nicholson, who parted company with Torquay in August last year after almost two years in charge, will replace playermanager Calum Elliot, who will continue as a player until the end of October before he returns to Edinburgh to be with his family.
Nicholson’s new role was made public on Tuesday evening. He said: “I am incredibly enthusiastic about the potential at Mousehole. I was taken aback by the club’s footballing philosophy, coaching set-up, use of technology, committee support, infrastructure, fantastic Academy and forward-thinking ambition.
“I’m incredibly excited to take it all to the next level. I’m also buzzing to be back playing.”
Mousehole are currently sixth in the Division One West of the South West Peninsula League. Nicholson will take charge of his first game tomorrow evening, when the Seagulls travel to Premier Division side Sticker in the League Cup.
Adam Fletcher, head of football operations at Mousehole, said: “Kevin Nicholson is an outstanding appointment. He brings a wealth of experience and ambition, coupled with a winning mentality, and his great energy, leadership and management skills will be felt throughout the club and the Academy.
“At the same time, there’s no doubt Kevin’s decision to join us reinforces our growing reputation as a progressive club who do not intend to stand still.”
Mousehole have made no secret of their ambitions. They have confirmed they will be applying for promotion to the Premier Division this year and have planning permission and grant finance in place to develop their Trungle Parc home to meet the requirements of the higher league.
The Cornish club’s Academy was launched last year, when Penzance-born Jason Blunt left his role as development coach at Leeds United to link up with Mousehole.
Derby-born Nicholson started his playing career at Sheffield Wednesday. After making one first-team appearance for the Owls, and after a brief loan spell at Forest Green Rovers, he played for Northampton Town, Notts County and Scarborough, before joining Torquay in 2007. He went on to make 327 appearances for the Gulls.
After spells at Kidderminster Harriers and Bath City, he returned to Torquay in 2015 as player-manager. He lost his job at Plainmoor in August last year.