One of a kind on- and off the field
He had a passion for wearing blazers, getting behind the wheel of his prized sports car and lighting up an extra-long Cuban cigar.
He was simply known to his mates as “Hollywood.”
Craig Nicholls was a colourful character who had another great passion in life…rugby.
So how did the nickname “Hollywood” come about?
Current Grafton Redmen committee member and past player Phil Gibson sheds some light one of his closest mates who left us far too soon.
Gibson recalls one of the first times he encountered “Hollywood” when driving down the Gwydir Highway.
“He was certainly larger than life and difficult to fit him into one category,” Gibson recalls.
“I popped in for a yarn at the Mann River Caravan Park and here’s Hollywood working on his car which was up on a hydraulic hoist. He was dressed in a pair of chinos, a sports jacket and had a Cuban cigar hanging off his lip.
“I immediately thought aah…that’s why they call him Hollywood, but it couldn’t be further from the truth.”
“His nickname had nothing to do with his persona off the field but from his performances on the field, faking injuries to give the team a rest during games when required.
“Ambulances were about to be called, then minutes later after a wash with the “magic sponge” he would dust himself off and resume playing.”
Craig Nicholls holds a special place in the Club’s history. He played over 100-games for the Redmen, he was an administrator and served as secretary during his playing days and played an integral part in the formation of junior rugby.
He will always be remembered as a magnetic character who passed away from heart complications in his late thirties.
Gibson also recollects the time Hollywood was involved with organising the annual trip away, which was always full of surprises.
“On one end of season trip away we boarded the bus to be handed a Kellogg’s variety pack of cereal accompanied by a can of Tooheys New to pour over instead of milk,” Gibson recalled.
“The penalty for not taking part was a fine or a shout. As a reward, a Mann River Mountain Burger from the Jackadgery store, which Hollywood operated, was handed out.”
Today, the Club is in excellent shape thanks to the many generous sponsors and hard-working committee members who just like Hollywood, have an unbridled passion for rugby and the Redmen’s future success.
“Hollywood would be wrapped to see the way the Club has prospered in recent times, especially the way women’s rugby has progressed over the years given he was a proud father of two girls,” Gibson said.
On Saturday the Grafton senior men’s and women’s side travel to Casino in their last trial game of the season. The first-grade side will be hoping to retain the Hollywood Shield against the Bulls, and who knows, a victory might result in a few Cuban cigars being handed out in honour of one of the Club’s all-time great characters.
Nico
