
FA Cup winner 1987
As a boyhood fan of Sunderland Nick Pickering lived the dream by joining the Black Cats straight from school as a 16-year old and made his debut for them in 1981. A versatile left-footed player who could play at full-back or the left side of the midfield and in his first season at Roker won the Player of the Year award. A year later he won his only England cap during a summer tour of Australia and also won 15 under 21 caps. He made over 200 appearances for the Wearside club before joining City in January 1986. Don Mackay paid £120,000 for him, using part of the proceeds of the sale of Terry Gibson, and it was an inspired buy. His winning goal against Luton ended an eight-game run without a win and eased City away from the relegation trap-door. What Nick may have lacked in speed he made up for with skill and his role in the 1986-87 team was understated with his winning goals from midfield in the home league wins over Forest and Liverpool memorable. Like all his teammates he ran his socks off at Wembley and was a great support to the beleagured Greg Downs in Chris Waddle’s first half masterclass. The winners medal made up for the disappointment two years previously when he was in Sunderland’s losing League Cup final side. After Wembley his form stagnated and in early 1988 he was switched to left-back to accommodate David Smith. That summer he joined Derby County for £300,000 but a spate of injuries badly affected his playing career and his time at the club was a disaster. He later played briefly for Burnley and Darlington before hanging up his boots. Now living back in the North East he is heavily involved in youth coaching and does radio work.
Red cards (1)
1987-88
5 September 1987 v Manchester United H, foul on Viv Anderson














































































































































































































England U21, 2 caps, 1 goal
1985-86
12 March 1986 Denmark U21 v England U21, Copenhagen, UEFA U21 Championship 1986 qualifying, 0-1, goal
23 April 1986 England U21 v Italy U21, Swindon, UEFA U21 Championship 1986 qualifying, 1-1
13 previous caps with Sunderland (total 15 caps, 1 goal)
1 full cap for England with Sunderland
1 England Youth cap with Sunderland
both before joining City