13 January 2019
Pictured:(Select to enlarge)
1. Nick Paul, a wonderful contributor to our sport and community
2. Elliston FC 1995 A Grade Premiers
3. Elliston FC 1998 A Grade Runners Up
4. Elliston FC 1999 A Grade Runners Up
5. Ellston FC 2000 A Grade Premiers
6. Elliston FC 2004 B Gade Premiers
7. Elliston FC 2006 B Grade Premiers
Mid West wish to send our sympathy and thoughts to the family, friends and colleagues of Nick Paul, upon his sudden passing. Nick is survived by his wife Karen, son Steve and daughter Kailie.
Nick is one of our Leagues true gentlemen, known and respected far and wide. A high achiever on and off the field, his legacy will live in the hearts of his many friends in sport and the community.
Part of a renown fishing family at Port Kenny, son of Kon and Margaret Paul, Nick started his football career later in life. Initially he played two B Grade games for Elliston in 1985 in the then Le Hunte Football League, not playing again until 1988.
Maybe it wasn’t the fascination for football that drew him back into the game, he travelled away from coastal luxury to the dry dusty interior, suiting up for Western Districts in the newly formed Mid West Football League, eager to impress local lass Karen Smart! This was essentially his first year of football, playing 11 B Grade games, seven goals and moving to A Grade for two games. This was the last time that he played reserves grade until his later years as he became a valued member of the Tigers, playing 55 A Grade/ 12 B Grade games in all for the club finishing in 1993.
The Roosters were hot on the improvement trail in 1994 and the appointment of Ian Willmott as senior coach heading a player recruitment drive, including a hard line approach to Nick and brother in law Graham (Butch) Smart. Closer to home and with wife Karen, the value that the Roosters received from this transfer has paid huge dividends for the future of the club, both football and netball. 1994 saw the Roosters make the finals for the first time since the formation of Mid West in 1988, Elliston playing in nine finals in a row thereafter, the nine years that Nick was an active A Grade player at the club!
1995, the undefeated Roosters won their first senior premiership since joining Le Hunte FL in 1968, the Grand Final against Wirrulla remaining the highest ever attended Grand Final in the League’s history. Nick receiving a pass from long time friend Jon Newton (yep, no misprint, Jonny passed in the forward line!) and kicked the first goal of the game, lifting players to a performance that they will never forget. Celebrations continuing on for weeks! The next few years had the Roosters emerging as a constant power, the best era for the club! Nick was a popular and passionate part of this era. The Bulldogs won the next four premierships, beating Elliston narrowly twice in Grand Finals before the Roosters hit back in 2000 taking out their second A Grade flag, Nick right in the thick of it again.
2002 was essentially his last full season of A Grade, retiring to the B Grade and winning a further two premierships.
Nick coached the A Grade at Elliston for many years forming a great team with Clive Matthews (brother in law), with both acting as head and assistant coach. A cool head and an understanding of the culture at the club ensured that he extracted the best from his players and those around him, commanding a wonderful respect from his and all other clubs also.
In all Nick played 210 senior games, kicking 72 goals. Many stories to tell, four premierships, so many friends, so many moments, but perhaps above the success and history stands game number 210, played in 2018, last season at Wirrulla, where he pulled on the red and white one last time in the A Grade on 12 May 2018. The side short, but a chance to play with his son Steve, the current Co-Captain of the side and Club President. Nick kicked a goal, one of the three that the Roosters managed. This was a foundation for a surge of pride that ultimately ended with the Elliston side rising to win the 2018 premiership at the same venue four months later, Steve hoisting the Cup aloft and playing a huge part on and off the field, just like his father always has. Nick is not in that Grand Final premiership photo, but his spirit is front and centre.
One of his proudest moments with his family close at hand as always.
Nick loved the coast, the fishing industry, his family and time spent with friends. A former Councillor at District Council of Elliston, an active member of the Prawn Fisherman’s Assoc, volunteering across the community, his memory will long be cherished by everyone associated with Mid West Football & Netball and the entire community.
Our thoughts are with Karen, Steve & Tash, Kailie and the whole family at this difficult time while recognising the involvement of a true legend.
Rest in Peace Nick!
Nick Paul - Mid West Football League
|
A Grade |
|
B Grade |
|
|
Year |
Games |
Goals |
|
|
Games |
Goals |
|
|
Elliston FC |
1985 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
? |
|
|
Western Districts FC |
1988 |
2 |
0 |
|
|
11 |
7 |
|
1989 |
9 |
4 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
1990 |
11 |
4 |
|
|
1 |
0 |
|
1991 |
11 |
4 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
1992 |
12 |
6 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
1993 |
10 |
9 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
|
Elliston FC |
1994 |
10 |
1 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
1995 |
14 |
3 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
1996 |
11 |
0 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
1997 |
14 |
11 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
1998 |
12 |
0 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
1999 |
17 |
9 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
2000 |
16 |
1 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
2001 |
15 |
0 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
2002 |
11 |
1 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
2003 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
3 |
0 |
|
2004 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
3 |
2 |
|
2005 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
2006 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
11 |
8 |
|
2007 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals |
178 |
54 |
|
|
32 |
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Western Districts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Grade |
55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
B Grade |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elliston |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Grade |
123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
B Grade |
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
143 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Senior Games |
|
210 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Goals |
|
72 |
|
|
|
|
Last Modified on 15/01/2019 19:41