Mike Nicholas made Warrington Wolves debut October 8, 1972

Powerful and skilful forward Nicko was signed by Alex Murphy for The Wire from Aberavon Rugby Union Club in 1972.

A number of former Aberavon players had already made the move north and were members of the primrose and blue squad, namely Bobby Wanbon, Frank Reynolds, Clive Jones and Dennis Curling.

Two of them, Reynolds and Wanbon, were alongside Nicholas on his maiden Wire first-team appearance against Barrow at Wilderspool Stadium on October 8, 1972.

Mike Nicholas in his early days with Warrington Wolves (Image: newsquest)

Nicko began his Warrington career at loose-forward in the 55-17 victory, though he didn't finish the game due to suffering a knee injury.

Reynolds was among the scorers with two tries, with others being scored by Wilf Briggs, two, Mick Hennighan, two, Brian Brady, Derek Noonan, Dave Chisnall, John Hart and Parry Gordon, while Ken Hindley kicked 11 goals.

Wire team on the day of Nicko's debut: Ken Hindley; John Hart, Frank Reynolds, Wilf Briggs, Derek Noonan; Alex Murphy, John Lowe; Dave Chisnall, Kevin Ashcroft, Brian Brady, Mick Hennighan, Bobby Wanbon, Mike Nicholas. Subs: Parry Gordon, Brian Gregory.

Nicholas played 18 matches for Warrington in his first season - one which ended with The Wire winning the League Leaders' Shield - scoring two tries in the process with his first coming in a 28-5 home success against Huddersfield on December 3.

Mike Nicholas leading the charge for Warrington (Image: Newsquest)

He was also shown the first two of his 15 red cards that season, at home to Leigh on Boxing Day and away to Widnes on Good Friday.

Nicko went on to make 152 first-team appearances for The Wire, a number of them as captain, before his departure in 1981. He crossed for 14 tries and kicked eight goals.

While with Warrington, he gained six Wales caps and a further two non-Test appearances on his country's World Championship tour of 1975.

He is fondly remembered for a barnstorming display as Warrington beat Featherstone Rovers in the 1974 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, the way he 'stuck it' to the Aussies on the night of a famous Wire win against the tourists at Wilderspool in 1978 and another outstanding display in the Knowsley Road mud as Widnes were defeated in the John Player Trophy Final of the same year.

Mike Nicholas on the way to scoring his try for Warrington Wolves against Featherstone Rovers in the 1974 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley (Image: Newsquest)

***A FULL INTERVIEW WITH MIKE NICHOLAS TO FOLLOW***