Ernest Frederick Nicholls (21 November 1871 – February 1971) was an English footballer who played as a centre-forward for Southampton St. Mary's in the pre-professional era, being the club's most prolific goalscorer.
[2] On 24 January 1891, he played at outside-left in the second round of the Hampshire Senior Cup, scoring in a 5–0 victory over Geneva Cross, a team based at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley.
Nicholls followed this up with a goal in the semi-final (against Banister Court School) setting up the final against the holders, a team from the Royal Engineers from Aldershot.
[3] The success in local cup competitions prompted the club committee to enter a national tournament for the first time[4] – in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on 3 October 1891, they played at Warmley near Bristol, winning comfortably 4–1 with Nicholls, who was playing at centre-forward, scoring the opening goal after 15 minutes, followed by a second late on in the match.
[5] In March 1892, St. Mary's retained the Hampshire Senior Cup, with an easy 5–0 victory over a Medical Staff team, with Nicholls scoring twice.