Nichols’ NPL life

Former Socceroo happy to focus on the Knights

FORMER Socceroo Mitch Nichols has all but given up hope of reviving his professional career and will instead channel his energy into continuing the Gold Coast Knights’ NPL emergence.

Nichols’ 11-year stint as a professional came to an end in January 2019 when he left the A-League’s Wellington Phoenix, putting pen to paper on a deal with the Knights two months later.

While his sights remained set on another full-time contract at home or abroad, the attacking midfielder went on to help the Knights win September’s NPL grand final in their debut season.

But at 30 and having been handed the Knights’ captaincy this season, Nichols revealed he had accepted the fact his future may lie in the semi-professional ranks.

“It’s one of those things, it’s just happened. I did focus on (getting another contract) when I first got back (from Wellington) but the last six months I’ve come to terms with it,” said Nichols, a 226game A-League veteran who also played in Japan.

“I sort of made the decision to continue playing here and not chase anything else and try to move on to the second part of your life … not make football everything.

“I wouldn’t say no to it but

I’m not desperate for it. It’s just trying to figure out what to do outside of football, which is a challenge because I’ve been so focused on football for 10-15 years.”

The Palm Beach junior has since dipped his toe into the coaching world at the Knights and said the early taste could be a sign of things to come.

“I don’t mind coaching, I helped out a bit last year around the club,” the fivetime Socceroo said.

“Adem Poric (Knights chief executive) is pushing me to get involved and I don’t mind it. I just need to really commit to it and give it a shot because it is tough for athletes (looking to life after football).

“I speak to people that I played with and grew up with and you’re just focused on the one thing. You don’t realise there’s that big, wide world out there.”

With two wins from as many games, including Tuesday’s 2-1 triumph over Brisbane Strikers, the Knights sit equal-top heading into their 7pm trip to Redlands tonight.

With a win and a loss, Gold Coast United are 10th and host defending premiers Lions at 6pm.