James Anthony McNichol (born 9 June 1958) is a Scottish former professional footballer who is most noted for his career at Torquay United and Exeter City. He was capped by Scotland at U21 level.^[3]

An apprentice at Ipswich Town, McNichol joined Luton Town in July 1976.^[1] He later played for Brentford (his transfer setting a new club record incoming fee of £33,000),^[4] before moving on to Exeter City.^[1] In July 1986 he joined Torquay United.^[1] On 9 May 1987 Torquay were heading out of the Football League, 2–0, down to Crewe Alexandra at half-time in the last game of the season, they needed two more goals to ensure survival—McNichol, Paul Dobson and a German shepherd called Bryn saved the day for Torquay.^[5] McNichol scored from a free-kick, then in the dying moments ran to the corner flag to whip in a cross, little realizing his run would confuse the police dog into thinking he was about to attack his handler.^[5] The dog bit McNichol on the leg and the player had to be treated; during the minutes added on due to the injury, Dobson scored and Lincoln City were the ones to lose their league status on goal difference.^[5] The story of McNichol's injury was featured in the Netflix documentary series Losers.^[6]

McNichol was appointed captain and led the club to the Football League Trophy final in 1989, before returning to Exeter in August 1989.^[1] He helped City take the Football League Fourth Division title in 1989–90, before he made the switch from Exeter to Torquay a second time in July 1991.^[1] After leaving the Gulls he later played for Torrington. An ankle ligament injury ended his career.^[7]

After his retirement from football, McNichol settled in Exeter and became a publican, operating The Exeter Inn in Ashburton.^[8] He sold the pub just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, after 33 years running in.^[9]

• Brentford Supporters' Player of the Year: 1978–79^[10]