After playing for local sides in his hometown of Ryhope, Nicholson began his Football League career in 1919 when he joined Clapton Orient, where he went on to play in nearly 150 games for the club. In 1924, Nicholson joined Cardiff City, competing with Harry Wake for the right-half position before being moved to centre-forward, in place of the injured Len Davies, and his performances in attack helped the club reach the 1925 FA Cup Final, Nicholson scoring against Blackburn Rovers in the semi-final.