Jim McNichol
Jim McNichol, born James Anthony McNichol on 9 June 1958 in Glasgow, Scotland, is a former professional footballer who played as a central defender. He started as an apprentice at Ipswich Town and turned professional with Luton Town in 1976. He later played for Brentford, Exeter City, Torquay United, and Torrington, making more than 400 league appearances. He also won Scotland under-21 caps.
A famous moment came in May 1987 when Torquay were fighting relegation. He scored from a free kick and, in stoppage time, delivered a cross as a police dog bit him on the leg amid the chaos. The incident is noted in the Netflix documentary series Losers. McNichol captained Torquay to the Football League Trophy Final in 1989 and then returned to Exeter City in 1989, helping them win the Fourth Division title in 1989-90 before moving back to Torquay in 1991. A lingering ankle ligament injury ended his playing career after spells with Torrington.
After football, he settled in Exeter and ran The Exeter Inn in Ashburton for 33 years, selling it just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 23:53 (CET).