He spent five seasons at Selhurst Park, and played over 150 matches for the club, picking up the Second Division title in 1978–79.
[5] He is also remembered for going in goal in an FA Cup tie against rivals Tottenham Hotspur in January 1982 after Pat Jennings was injured.
[6] Looking for first team football, he returned to Palace on loan in August 1983 and at the end of that season the move was made permanent for £150,000.
In 1987–88, he reached the Scottish League Cup final, against Rangers; the match finished 3–3 and Nicholas missed a penalty in the ensuing shootout, which meant Aberdeen went home empty-handed.
After retirement, he became Chelsea's youth coach, before moving to Brentford and then returning to his old club Crystal Palace to take the same role there.