RIP Mick Nolan

[j flex roo]

Yes, the 1976 first semi was probably Mick's best game for the club. IIRC that goal made the game safe for North.
One of the most extraordinary ruckmen I've seen. Just wasn't built for footy but didn't know it.
Anyone know if his sons still play for Heidelberg in the Northern League?

Not sure, but I know Danny Nolan played for the Wangaratta Rovers like his old man did for quite a while - goal kicking machine. One of them is overseas according to one of the articles.

 

[SavageHound]

Ahh, thats when footy was footy. Runaway elephants on the ground, the great Galloping Gasometer lumbering around Arden St, bad hair and over grown mo's. Another character of the game makes his way to the football ground above. Oh and no issues of clash jumpers!

 

[Forum_Leader]

R.I.P. Mick.

The Arden Street faithful will never let your memories fade.

True legend and icon of Arden street.

 

[Benno From Berwick]

R.I.P. Mick.

The Arden Street faithful will never let your memories fade.

True legend and icon of Arden street.

I remember this foot card well as a kid. Growing up in the 70's, as i did, I saw alot of the lengendary North sides of the era. Mick was an icon. A legend in every sense of the word. RIP big fella. Thanks for the wonderful boy hood memories.....

The the very best to the family....do the big fella proud this week in Brisbane....send him off in a big way....he would like that!!

 

[sherrinorburley]

R.I.P. Mick.

The Arden Street faithful will never let your memories fade.

True legend and icon of Arden street.

Alway's remember the first premiership and Mick Nolan's part.

Sad to hear of his passing.

 

[roosmad]

RIP Mick,

Condolences to family and friends.

Losing north blood always hurts.

Will always be remembered by those from Arden street .

 

[Passmore]

I recall a day at Vic Park in the late 70's, when he got a standing ovation from the Collingwood faithful in the members stand when he left the ground such was the game he played.

Best tap ruckman that the great Barry Cable ever roved to.

One picture that will always stick in my mind is from The Sun back in 1979. Mick was recalled to the side for the first time that season to play Fitzroy at Arden St. Rd 8 or 9 if I recall. North were undefeated. There was a picture on the back page of the big fella tucking into the dirtiest, big hamburger you could imagine. We lost and I don't think Mick played another game.

Sad news, but some wonderful memories. He was larger than life.

 

[mighty mick]

mighty mick nolan fond memories of watching you play and the side stories that made you a legend.

its a sad day and best wishes to the family.

 

[Banyo Bloods]

Sad news indeed

Mick was my footy coach for two years for the Mayne Tigers here in Brisbane.

Really enjoyed my time with him and remember him telling me that Wayne Carey guy is going to be a good player.

A story I can share was the end of the training night Mick stood 10 meters away from the group and offered to give anyone a carton of coke who could take the footy one grab. One by one we came out whilst he drilled the footy full pelt at us. I was the closest managing to hang on but there was a double grab then up came Bret Mad Dog Mcguiness and Mick kicked it with all his might and split the webbing of Brets hand ruling him out for the next few weeks. Was the last time we did that drill.

His son Ricky Nolan played in our team so my thoughts go out to him and his family during this time.

 

[GoNorth]

Condolences to Mick's family and friends. R.I.P. Mick.

 

[sutcliffe's hotel]

Fondly remembered.

Heartfelt sympathy to family and friends.

 

[G Man]

A great memory I have is seeing Mick at St Peters church in East Keilor for Sunday mass. Big Fella must have lived in the area and was at mass most Sunday's. Me and my brothers ( who needed persuasion to attend) got a spring in our step if we thought the big no 22 would be there.

We would chase him out in the car park most weeks and get something signed.

He would always sign them something like To Gavan , best wishes Mick Nolan, never just his name.


Always a gentleman ( and a good catholic!) and was always pleasant.

Funny how these things spring back into your mind when hear of someone passing as I remember not only a very well respected ruckman but a nice bloke to go with it.

R.I.P Mick

 

[shinboner magic]

RIP MIck your like will never be seen again

 

[Woodson]

A great memory I have is seeing Mick at St Peters church in East Keilor for Sunday mass. Big Fella must have lived in the area and was at mass most Sunday's. Me and my brothers ( who needed persuasion to attend) got a spring in our step if we thought the big no 22 would be there.

We would chase him out in the car park most weeks and get something signed.


Always a gentleman ( and a good catholic!) and was always pleasant.

Funny how these things spring back into your mind when hear of someone passing as I remember not only a very well respected ruckman but a nice bloke to go with it.

R.I.P Mick

Also spotted down the road @ St Martin's Catholic church, Avondale Heights at the back listening intently to what the priest had to say. Actually, our local priest back in the day would sometimes do a footy wrap up before commencing mass with a few witty remarks.. also this church was only a drop punt away from the local fish n' chip shop.

 

[JD-Roo]

RIP Big Fella

 

[wakeboardandy]

RIP Mick..

I am from Wangaratta and know alot of his extended family. Condolences to all.

 

[goalkicker11]

The Gas was a legend i grew up with his sons and Danny and Dale are playing for Heidelberg still and ricky is living in darwin
all the boys are fire fighters

 

[Gasometer]

Farewell mighty Galloping Gasometer.

The memories of you at Arden Street in the 70's will live on forever.

To a little boy at the time you were a gentle giant.

Gasometer

 

[sherb]

That is very sad news.

I started following footy in the late 60s so I remember Mick Nolan well.

I was also fortunate enough to be present at the 1975 Grand Final to witness the Roos' first flag.

I hope his family and friends are coping as best they can.

 

[big_blue]

Mick attended a sportsmans night in Canberra back in '99 and as an organiser of the event, we got to spend some extra time with him afterwards for a few hours.

He was a legend, and the Stories Barassi only added to the his status.

I hope the lord almighty himself doesn't get as much of a shock as RDB did when you trot out on to that great training paddock in the sky

Richard Tuffin
Carlton Supporter
Canberra

 

[35eye]

R.I.P. Mick...a true gentleman. As long as I live, I shall never forget that cold Thursday night at Arden St when, with my autograph book in hand, I timidly approached the great man to ask for his signature. He bent down, looked me in the eye, and replied "Most certainly!" 30 years later, I can still recall the warmth and generosity in those two words which thrilled a young boy to bits.

Quite similarly I approached him for an autograph, very timidly. It matters not that I would have been 28 years old and it was a few years back at the Team of the Century dinner.
With the obligatory *** hanging out of his mouth, this man-giant greeted me with "Hello love." I must have gone bright red as I fumbled to have him sign my boyfriend's North Story. I just dug it out now to have a look and note that he signed, "Mick Nolan, Love and Best Wishes."
Thanks Mick, John really appreciates the affectionate scrawl.

 

[Max469]

RIP Big Mick

I grew up in a North household - well respected in our family.

God Bless and look after you.

 

[Rebel Roo]

RIP Big Fella!!!
A truely sad day for the Arden Street faithfull. Condolences to Mick's family and all his extended North Family. Just reading these messages brings a tear to my eye as they are filled with happy moments of a graet man and a champion bloke. I'm lucky I have a phot of him and I at Keith Grieg's Tribute night in around 1985.

My fondest memory of him is racing to the Norht Melbourne Town Hall after school in 1979 and watching Lou richards piggy backing him up the steps of the town hall. It was one of Lou's silly dares he would do if we managed to beat South Melb, which we did. There was Mick big frame, big smile and a pie in each hand, waiting for Louie The Lip.

I wonder if the AFL / North / Bris are considering a formal tribute before the match and a minute's silence given his contribution to north and QLD football. Should I contact the club and see if this is possible?

 

[windsock]

Also spotted down the road @ St Martin's Catholic church, Avondale Heights at the back listening intently to what the priest had to say. Actually, our local priest back in the day would sometimes do a footy wrap up before commencing mass with a few witty remarks.. also this church was only a drop punt away from the local fish n' chip shop.

I always thought there was something special about you Woodson. Many of the greats have sprung out of St Martin de Porres, Avondale Heights.

RIP Big Mick.

 

[RooBoyz24]

RIP mick and hope the north melbourne football club put on a good performance for him this week.