Town legend named in special JPT side

He became the first midfielder to be inducted into the trophy’s team of the five finals they have sponsored, after he led Luton to a 3-2 extra-time victory over Scunthorpe in front of over 40,000 Hatters fans at Wembley in April 2009.

Nicholls tasted great success over two spells at Luton, leading them to two promotions as well lifting the trophy.

His citation read: “If ever a player embodied everything that is great about the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, then ‘Nico’ was it.

“The Hatters’ talisman missed much of the 2009 season through injury, but managed to regain fitness in time for the final against Scunthorpe United – and boy was he ready.

“Luton Town might have been fighting relegation from League Two and opponents Scunthorpe gunning for promotion to the Championship, but it didn’t show.

“Captain Kevin turned the odds on their head and appeared to revel in the underdog tag, dragging his team from a goal down, to extra-time, then to an eventual 3-2 win with minutes remaining.”