Neil Nicholson

In 1961, breaststroke swimmer Neil Nicholson reached his first ASA final. He finished second in the 220 yards the following year before winning the first of his two titles in 1963. He followed that with the 110 yards title in 1964. A former Gateshead Grammar Schoolboy, Nicholson later studied chemical engineering at Birmingham University and was the British Universities’ 110- and 220-yards breaststroke champion three years in succession, 1964-66. He also represented the British Universities at international level.

Nicholson´s finest moment came at the 1962 Perth, Australia, British Empire and Commonwealth Games when he won the bronze medal in the individual 220, and silver with the England quartet in the 4×110 yards medley relay. Nicholson also took part in the 200 metres and medley relay at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic but without winning a medal. Nicholson´s older brother Malcolm was also a county standard swimmer.