18th January 1946

Wellington , Somerset

Winger

Featuring 43 times in the club’s 1977 promotion-winning campaign Somerset-born winger Nicky Jennings played for Exeter City between 1974 and 1978. He joined the club from Portsmouth and later played for Wellington (Somerset). He started his career at Plymouth Argyle where, such was his form, he earned a £25,000 transfer to Portsmouth for whom he was to feature in over 200 league games. His 1979 testimonial against Nottingham Forest marked the first appearance for the visitors of Trevor Francis following his £1 million transfer. 

A left-winger, he began his professional career with Plymouth Argyle in June 1963, who had signed him from his home town club of Wellington in Somerset. He was to score 11 goals in 98 appearances for Argyle, before moving to Portsmouth in January 1967 for a fee of £25,000. He was to prove so popular there that he won the Player of the Year title. Going on to make 207 league appearances for Portsmouth he netted 44 goals. He also had a short loan spell with Aldershot in November 1973.

Given a free transfer in May 1974, he returned to Devon to sign for Exeter City, who had faced competition from Aldershot, Charlton Athletic and Northampton Town for the player's signature. He proved to be a huge success at St. James’ Park and was a key member of the City team that won promotion in 1977 when he played in nearly every game and contributed seven goals. He stayed for four seasons during which time he scored 15 goals in 124 league matches.

He then became player-manager of Western League side Wellington before enjoying a testimonial match between Exeter City and Nottingham Forest in February 1979, a game which marked the debut of England’s first £1 million player Trevor Francis.

He later became a probation officer and then retired to live in Wimborne Minster, Dorset before moving to Bournemouth. He on 4 June 2016 at the age of 70.

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