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Carlisle native James Nichols has taken over the reins at Carlisle City in the English North West Counties League Division One, the ninth tier of English football.
He had been coach of Lowland Scottish side Mid Annandale since last summer after leading Cascadia to sixth place in the ConIFA World Cup. He joins City after manager James Tose and his assistant Jonny Allan left the club last weekend.
Nichols took over as Cascadia’s first ever manager when they made their playing debut in the ConIFA World Cup in May 2018. The side qualified out of a tough group after achieving the 6-0 win that they needed in their final game.
Nichols told Prost:
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to work at Carlisle City. I know a number of the players and know the quality of the squad. I’m looking forward to training on Thursday and the quarter final on Saturday.
I’d like to thank all at Mid Annandale FC. They are a great club and a credit to their town.”
Carlisle City are in Division One North which covers sides from Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cumbria, Northern Staffordshire, Northern Shropshire, the far west of West Yorkshire, and Derbyshire. They play at Gilford Park which was once the home of Carlisle’s Rugby League club, and has a 4000 capacity.
A teacher by profession, Nichols also writes for this site on the England national team.
By James Nichols
James Nichols: No need for joy or hysteria. England punching exactly at their weight
Nichols on England: Smart Southgate wise to play within limitations
Exclusively for Prost – Coach James Nichols: I’m So Proud of My Cascadians
Their most famous ex-player is midfielder Paul Gorman who made six appearances for Arsenal in the 1980s before spells at Birmingham, Carlisle United, Shrewsbury and Shelbourne in his native Dublin. He made one appearance for the Republic of Ireland U-21s.
Among Nichols’ league opponents will be AFC Liverpool, a club created by hardcore Liverpool FC fans who believed commercialism was pricing the ordinary fan out of EPL football. The Division above City has one of the more romantic names of FA Cup giant killing fame in Northwich Victoria.
City are currently sixth with 47 points from 26 games but have lost five out of their last six matches, including a 7-1 loss at Avro in Oldham in their last game.
Nichols’ first challenge will be at home to Ellesmere Rangers on February 16th in a rearranged cup tie.
