BIO

Originally from Uraidla, Gary Nicol was recruited to Norwood as a 13 year old in 1953 by prominent Norwood officials Ern Wadham and Perce McCallum.
 
The versatile Nicol impressed as he progressed through the junior grades, captaining the junior colts in 1956, and winning the senior colts best and fairest the following year.
 
He made his senior debut for Norwood against Port Adelaide on the Norwood Oval in the end of season 1957 Advertiser Cup night series.

His league debut was against West Torrens in round 2,1958. Final Scores: Norwood 9.17 to West Torrens 7.9
 
Nicol played nine league games in 1958, eight in 1959, and five in 1960.
 
From 1957 to 1960 he was a student at Adelaide University and Adelaide Teachers College. Evening and late afternoon lectures would sometimes prevent him from attending football training.
 
He was named in the centre for the reserves side that defeated Port Adelaide in the 1960 Grand Final.
 
After graduating with a BA Dip Ed and Dip Teaching, he was appointed as a teacher at the Kapunda High School in 1961. Travelling to Adelaide for training sessions became even more difficult and he decided to retire from the SANFL. However, he continued to play country football and had stints at Uraidla, Nuriootpa, Mount Barker, Onkaparinga Valley and Kadina - coaching at all clubs bar Uraidla. He retired from football in 1972.
 
Nicol was a high school principal from 1973 to 1993 before taking an early retirement.

R Cialini Dec 2019