James "Jimmy" Michael Nicholl was born on December 28, 1956 in Hamilton, Ontario.

The Canadian born Northern Irish footballer spent his early years in the Borough and is synonymous with Northern Ireland and Newtownabbey.

Jimmy played for a host of top flight clubs started his career as a junior player at Manchester United. His senior career started in 1974. He would help the club win the 1977 FA Cup Final. In 1981, he left the club after scoring five goals and played for a variety of teams including Sunderland, Toronto Blizzard, Glasgow Rangers and West Brom.

He topped this off with a glittering international career where he won a total of 73 international caps for Northern Ireland, scoring once. He was mainly a right-back but could also play in other defensive role and frequently played alongside his cousin Chris.

The highlight of his international career was playing a key part in what has gone down as arguably the greatest moment in Northern Ireland sport the 25th June 1982 when little northern Ireland defeated the hosts and one of the tournament favourites Spain in Valencia.

After his playing career his success has continued into his management.

Previously he was manager of Millwall and Raith Rovers when the latter won the Scottish League Cup on November 27, 1994. He is currently the assistant manager of Aberdeen, working with Jimmy Calderwood and it is without doubt his success will continue.”