Ross Nicholson

For the New Zealand cricketer sometimes known as Ross, see Colin Nicholson (cricketer).

Ross Nicholson (born 8 August 1975) is an association football goalkeeper who represented New Zealand at international level. He was born at Gisborne, New Zealand in 1975.

Ross Nicholson

Personal information
Full name	Ross McGregor Nicholson
Date of birth	(1975-08-08) 8 August 1975 (age 49)
Place of birth	Gisborne, New Zealand
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Takapuna AFC
Number	1 or 13
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
0000–1992	Gisborne City	16
1993–2005	Central United	345
0000–1996	Sembawang Rangers	22
2003–2004	Kings FC	20
2006–2009	Auckland City FC	100
2009–2010	YoungHeart Manawatu	14
2010	Albany United FC	22
2011–2013	Glenfield Rovers	66
2002	Sydney United FC	16
2009	Maori Futsal	5
2008–2009	Onehunga Sports	36
2016–2017	Waitakere City FC	30
2020	Takapuna AFC Div 3	20
Total		711
International career‡
1998–2006	New Zealand	13	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 29 April 2010 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 29 March 2008

International career

Nicholson made his full All Whites debut as a substitute in an 8–1 win over Vanuatu at the OFC Nations Cup in Australia on 28 September 1998.^[1] He was included in the New Zealand squad for the 1999 Confederations Cup finals tournament in Mexico where he was an unused substitute,^[2] and was first choice goalkeeper for Auckland City FC at the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.^[3]

Nicholson ended his international playing career with 14 A-international caps to his credit,^[4] his final cap being in a 0–0 draw with Estonia on 31 May 2006.^[1]

Honours

Club

Central United FC

• New Zealand National Soccer League: 1999, 2001
• Chatham Cup: 1997, 1998, 2005

Auckland City FC

• New Zealand Football Championship: 2005/06, 2006/07, 2008/09
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2006

New Zealand All Whites Under 19 National Team

• 6 Appearances: 1992

New Zealand All Whites National Team

• 14 Appearances: 1998 to 2006
• Merdeka Tournament Cup Winners: 2000
• FIFA Confederations Cup - Mexico: 1999

Perhaps the greatest honour of Nicolson’s career has come in 2024, with him taking up an opportunity to join St Albans Shirley Football club in Christchurch, New Zealand. He has joined the iconic “Dads and Lads” team (temporarily in Division 7 of Mainland Football), which has coincided with a positional switch into a midfield/striker role for up to 25 minutes per game.