The 57-year-old defender helped his beloved Balclutha AFC pick up its first title since 1978.
The side wrapped up the division 2 title with a 3-0 win against Green Island late last month to end a 38-year wait.
Amazing, Nicol played in the team which won the title all those years ago and four decades later was back for more glory — not that it ever went away.
Nicol joined the club as a 16-year-old and has been a member for 41 years.
"I thought if we ever won again I might go out on a high. I might still do that," Nicol said.
"I say that every year and I’ve been saying that for a long time."
He is a life member and one of those blokes every club needs.
He is the guy who marks out the field, pumps up the balls, organises the pre-season game and gets on the phone to make sure there is a full team every Saturday.
"If something needs sorted I just do it. There are lots of helpers here but I just do what I can."
A fitter and welder by trade, the game keeps him fit and there are not too many 20-somethings breezing past him.
"I keep them honest," he said modestly.
Danny Simmonds (41) reckons his team-mate of more than 20 years does a bit better than just keeping his opponents honest.
"It is quite funny when you are playing 20-year-olds and they can’t get past him and start throwing tantrums. You just remind them he is 57 and they should be able to beat him — it’s kind of fun," Simmonds said.
Balclutha went through the season undefeated with 11 wins and six draws.
It actually won 12 games but had three points deducted for fielding a player who had mucked up his online registration.
The setback threatened to derail its title prospects but Balclutha finished the season strongly with a 3-0 win against Mornington and a 4-0 defeat of University, as well as the 3-0 win against Green Island in the last game of the season.
"Probably one of the reasons we were successful this year is because we’ve got the older guys with experience — not as old as me — and the younger guys really coming up through the ranks, so it all came together."
Nicol does not remember too much about the ’78 season but he has the photograph to prove it happened.
Check out that haircut.
