Funny Laurie Nichols Story

C

Chris

Well-known member
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-V9NMHhQH4&feature=related" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
Great Man - I met him on a train from the CBD out to Narwee Station on his way to visit a sick friend.

I admit I was so shy and Giddy.
 
Back in the 80's I was involved in Junior League in Group 10 for a now sadly defunct club, well back then we hosted the Junior League Grand Finals at Carrington Park Bathurst and the Bloomfield Tigers had Laurie come along and support the Tigers.
While Laurie did an admirable job there are 2 teams of Tigers in Group 10 Juniors, I don't recall if Oberon faced up to Bloomfield in any of the games as I was too busy elsewhere but it would have been funny to see both towns clash.
Where would Laurie's loyalties have lied, the Traditional Tigers in Oberon or the newcomers Bloomfield, hopefully there are a few Oberon and Orange people out there who can elaborate on this.
 
He was a great man who travelled from his home in the Blue Mountains by train & bus to get to Leichhardt for training - let alone games!!

Never a need to be shy spartan - as soon as you identified yourself as a Tigers fan your were one of his brood!

He was eccentric but never a stupid man - and to the surprise of most people - in his working days he was regarded as one of the best wool-classers that this country has ever seen (which is a fine & extremely precise art in itself)!!

I love Laurie (& had many a drink with him around the traps) - may he rest in peace (and let's give him another premiership with this fine young bunch of gentlemen who he would have adored)!!!!
 
About 20 years ago my father in law purchased a Tigers jersey for his eldest son's 40th birthday. He then went down to

training in the hope of getting it signed by one or two of the players. He started chatting with Laurie and before he

knew it, Laurie had it signed by the whole team! To this day he still tells anyone that will listen, what a great bloke

Laurie Nichols was and wears his Laurie Nichols singlet with pride.
 
Nice story Mrs T shows what a good man and character Laurie Nichols was. I remember seeing Benny Elias being interviewed after the 2005 grand final win (that night) I wish I could remember what he said exactly so I could quote it now but it was a clever reference to John Donnelly and Laurie Nichols and how they would be reacting to the grand final win. Clubs need these characters and legends for their folklore. I wonder who the first one will be for the combined Wests Tigers, any suggestions??
 
Junior Pearce;s book tells some funny stories about Laurie,Lent my copy to someone who hasn;t returned it yet,But If my memory serves me correctly there is one I can sought of remember about Laurie on a very packed train, and some lady sitting with her cat on the seat next to her and Laurie asked her if she would move the cat so he could sit down, She refused so Laurie waited for the next stop, and with that in typical Laurie style picked the cat up, Said to the lady rattatatat say goodbye to your cat and swiftly removed the cat to the platform ,I think im pretty close, maybe someone can confirm this?
 
I told this story on the old forum , for those that missed it here it is again…....
I & Laurie lived 10 mins apart he at Springwood myself at Warrimoo, after a Tigers game at Penrith park we with David Brooks, Paul {Knobby} Clark & Kerry {Buckets } Hemsley went to the Penrith Leagues Club {I was Lauries designated driver} when it was time to leave we found it was raining cats n dogs a real downpour people were jammed out the front of the club waiting for a break in the rain so they could get to their cars without drowning, I said to Laurie " were gonna' drown mate" Laurie said "no we wont follow me" off I follow him to the restaraunt where he approached a couple of ladies drinking those fancy drinks with litte paper umbrellas in them "excuse me ladies could we borrow these its a case of life & death " said Laurie as he removed the umbrellas he then hands one to me & off we go ?? through the crowd of people outside holding these tiny paper umbrellas over our heads in a torrential storm Laurie saying "stick with me son" & off we went to the car arriving like two drowned rats...that was Laurie always a laugh . :smiley:
 
@balmainbenny said:
Junior Pearce;s book tells some funny stories about Laurie,Lent my copy to someone who hasn;t returned it yet,But If my memory serves me correctly there is one I can sought of remember about Laurie on a very packed train, and some lady sitting with her cat on the seat next to her and Laurie asked her if she would move the cat so he could sit down, She refused so Laurie waited for the next stop, and with that in typical Laurie style picked the cat up, Said to the lady rattatatat say goodbye to your cat and swiftly removed the cat to the platform ,I think im pretty close, maybe someone can confirm this?
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That is actually the story that former players Elias, Beetson, Corowa etc are discussing in the Youtube video benny! You have it totally correct - except he threw it out the window of the train.

It was found unharmed by railways staff!
 
All i remember is some goose shadow boxing,yelling and scaring kids who where nearby.

yeah…great bloke
 
Im with you Red, Gazza or should I say Gassa show some respect, Mate you slag off at one of our legends you slag off at me, I take it personally , You should apologise to all BALMAIN fans or remove yourself from the forum, or both, sorry Willow, I know, BUT it did hit a nerve !!
 
@balmainbenny said:
Im with you Red, Gazza or should I say Gassa show some respect, Mate you slag off at one of our legends you slag off at me, I take it personally , You should apologise to all BALMAIN fans or remove yourself from the forum, or both, sorry Willow, I know, BUT it did hit a nerve !!
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Thanks for the support Benny!!!

However - I must also state that Laurie was the sort of supporter that most of us aspire to being! His love for Balmain was immense - but it never prevented him from treating visiting players with anything but the utmost respect and care!

He was a gentleman who was bred from a better time in Australia's cultural history - and he was the sort of fan that every team would have killed for at the time!!!

Laurie's ability to galvanise players in hard times & his contribution to the retention of Balmain's best in the 80/90s (Roach, Sironen & Jack etc - despite the predatory nature of many clubs) should never be underestimated!!

Just look at the sincere affection the former players have for him in the referred Youtube clip - and Gazza & kin may just get a small understanding of his considerable positive influence!!!
 
I enjoyed reading the contributions to this thread surely there must be many humorous & warm hearted stories on this great tigers supporter never met the man but always felt good seeing him at the game shadowboxing now there was a true loyal supporter
 
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