A left-sided assist machine who arrives with experience and pedigree. Nicky spent the 2022/23 campaign in the National League with Dorking Wanderers, where he’d spent the last three years, including promotion to the top tier of Non-League after previously suffering defeat in the play-offs during Lockdown 2.
Victory with the very last kick of the final at home to Ebbsfleet United ultimately saw them come out on top. This came after they’d ended the regular season as runners-up on 101 points and seen off Oxford City in the semi-final.
Starting out in academy football at Charlton Athletic, then Lewes, Nicky took a break from the game before re-emerging at Burgess Hill Town a few years later. From there he returned to Lewes before moving on to Tonbridge Angels, Dagenham & Redbridge and Billericay Town. With the latter, he won the Isthmian League Cup and Premier Division Championship while also reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup during his time at New Lodge.
Two single terms at both Woking and Eastbourne Borough came next, earning elevation to the National League though the play-offs once more at the former and facing then Premier League Watford at home in the third round of the FA Cup to boot.
Debuted at Brighton U21s in our opening friendly of our 2023/24 season preparations and certainly picked his moment to open his account for the club; swerving home a long-range, 96th minute winner at home to Tonbridge Angels on the opening day of last season.
Nicky Wheeler reacts following his late winner against Chelmsford City in the National League South.
Watch as Wills, Haigh, Wheeler and Cook dish the dirt on their teammates.