Laurie Nicolls

There was one constant at every Tigers game, his name was Laurie Nicolls. Laurie will always be remembered as the undisputed Number 1 fan of the Balmain Tigers amongst a host of very committed fans. The word unique didn't go far enough when it described this truly amazing punch throwing Tiger.

For over 3 decades the sidelines at Leichhardt Oval and other rugby league grounds around not only Australia but the world were paced by Laurie in his characteristic manner.

For those who have never heard of Laurie, any game involving the Balmain Tigers was accompanied by the man pictured above wearing no more than a Tigers singlet on his upper body (temperatures are irrelevant). His customary and unique salute when the Tigers scored was unmistakable, it involved a wide variety of combinations and includes many jabs, upper cuts and hooks.

He was as much a part of Leichhardt Oval as the scoreboard, goal posts and grandstand. It was in the mid 1960's when this former wool-classer came down to Balmain to watch his friend Sid Williams play for the Tigers and there he stayed until his sudden passing in 2000.

One remarkable quality of Laurie Nicholls was his sportsmanship and unqualified support. You never heard Laurie bagging a player, or a team for mistakes or losses. When the opposition scored, Laurie applauded. When the Tigers had their heads down or were in a rough patch, Laurie was there to encourage with pats on the back and words of support. He held the belief that everybody who tries their best deserves support, "I respect any player who does his best... gives every inch of his heart... you've got to respect a man for that" he once said.

Perhaps the best way to describe how highly Laurie was respected by the players was when in 1971 Laurie was given an Australian jersey by Geoff Starling. Starling earlier that year was guided in the right direction as a nervous youngster making his First Grade debut by Laurie. "Don't sell yourself short and keep trying" were the words of wisdom that Laurie dished out, and later that same year Starling became the youngest ever Australian Kangaroo Tourist.

At one point when the Tigers were under fire in the late 80's, Wayne Pearce remarked "at least I know one guy who'll be waiting there in the tunnel" and he wasn't referring to the coach or any of the wives. A pearl of Laurie Nicholls wisdom came when he once said "half the good people live in Balmain and the rest only wish they did".

Laurie Nicholls however was not just a Balmain fan, he was a rugby league and sports fan. He once stood in sub-zero degree temperatures in England watching the Kangaroos in a singlet. He was there in Kostya Tszyu's corner when the adopted Aussie boxing world champion stepped into the ring. And it was no surprise for the local juniors when Laurie turned up to watch them on the weekends.

If ever a man personified the words loyalty, uniqueness and dedication it was that snowy haired fella waving to the fans with the team as they made their way off the ground, for he was very much a part of the team and the fans loved him as much as any player. He will be missed.