Charlie Nicholas, the former Scotland striker, has revealed in a new book, Truly, Madly Charlie, why he turned down Liverpool at their peak to join Arsenal in the summer of 1983. The decision, he says, came down to a feeling of connection with then-Arsenal coach Don Howe, despite Liverpool being the dominant force in English football at the time.
A Career-Defining Choice
Nicholas, who had just scored 48 goals in one season for Celtic, met Howe and manager Terry Neill at the Park Lane Hotel in London. "I thought if I go to Liverpool, I'd have to wait. Be a little bit patient. But patience and me is not a thing that gets on," Nicholas said. "I met Don Howe and Terry Neill in the Park Lane Hotel in London. And it was just something about Don Howe. He kept saying 'The Arsenal'."
He recalled an earlier visit to Highbury for Sammy Nelson's testimonial, where he played only five or six minutes. "But I was really taken by the Marble Halls. I thought, wow, this was a wee bit special, and there was something about the Highbury stadium that stuck out for me," he said. "When Don started to talk to me, I felt a connection. Don was coach and Terry was manager but more technical director. He was trying to get Chippy Brady back from Juventus. And we were trying to sign Ray Wilkins from Chelsea. Anyway, neither of those happened!"
Highs and Lows at Arsenal
Despite his popularity on the terraces, Nicholas admits his career never fully reached its potential at Arsenal, though he enjoyed scoring against Tottenham. "They were better than us - but we'd always beat them!" he said. He also recalls his record against Liverpool: "I think Liverpool won eight in my four-year tenure there, and I won one. But obviously, my one was against Liverpool! So that was quite pleasant."
Nicholas cemented his place in Arsenal folklore by scoring both goals in the 1987 Littlewoods Cup final, a historic win as it was the first time Liverpool had lost after Ian Rush had scored. Reflecting on his career, he said: "I don't have any regrets in terms of the club that I joined, but I do have regrets because, although I never really felt at the time that medals were of significant value, I think when you look back after your career, you feel as if you should have won more, especially the European Cup. I know Arsenal are still waiting for that little star above the crest even now - and I'm still dying to see it."
Fallout with George Graham
Nicholas's playboy image clashed with manager George Graham, a strict disciplinarian. "George did the same when he was a player," said Nicholas. "It was just a bit weird because even after the game, he did a press conference and was being asked: 'Will you give Charlie a new contract now?' I was a nuisance to him really. Then very quickly the next season I wasn't even training with the reserves. I ended up in what was the third team with the under-18 boys. Brian Clough wanted to sign me for Nottingham Forest and George blocked it. I went with Ken Friar to Toulon and we agreed a deal and he blocked that."
He added: "I just couldn't understand it and still don't really. Until eventually I went back up the road to Scotland. I've seen him a couple of times in later years but it was just a bit cold. We shook hands and that was about it."
Love for the Club Endures
Despite the difficulties, Nicholas retains fond memories of his time at Arsenal. "But I loved my time at Arsenal and that day at Wembley was spectacular. I still love going back to the club and they are class in the way they treat you and look after you. Fans still look and do a second take probably because of the grey hair!" he said.
He also recalled the open-top bus parade through Islington after the 1987 cup win. "I'd never seen anything like it because you can't do that in Glasgow - there would be a war! But it showed you just how big the club is, so many people. We had it again this summer when they won the league. That showed you the size of the club. I was doing a fan event and staying near Tower Bridge, I walked a short way and the fans were spilling back all the way. It's brilliant to see the club doing so well - they deserve it."
