40 years - Thanks Uncle Nick

[Moose]

Great article about the great man himself

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...medium=twitter

[Moose]

Just realised it was premium, so im not really sure why i can read it but i'll copy and paste it for you guys.
“

NO-ONE is going to bastardise a rugby league jersey.”

With those words former rugby league boss, the late Kevin Humphreys, told young car dealer Nick Politis to keep the $50,000 he was prepared to spend to get his new dealership City Ford on the front of the Roosters jersey back in 1975.
Politis can still clearly remember the meeting.
“Kevin just laughed and said you’ve got to be kidding and kept carrying on about tradition.”
It was a meeting that would change Australian sport forever because a year later the ARL boss relented when it became clear Sydney clubs could not survive on just gate takings, first-try doubles and chook raffles.
City Ford first appeared first appeared on the front of the Roosters jersey in a midweek World Club challenge game against St Helens at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1976.
Forty years later and the Roosters will launch the 2016 season against the same club in the north of England on February 19 with Politis still there as club chairman and about to celebrate his 40-year anniversary in rugby league.
“Back in those days we were all losing money, the same as we are today,” Politis recalled when we caught up at Allianz Stadium on Monday with the fullback from 1976 team Russell Fairfax and the fullback to play St Helens, Blake Ferguson.
Back then Politis was a 34-year-old newcomer to the car business, owning just a 20 per cent share in City Ford. Unknown in the Sydney business world, they even misspelt his name in a story in the official match program announcing his sponsorship.
These days he runs one of the world’s biggest automotive empires, employing more than 5000 staff and says the sponsorship was a big part of the growth of his business.
“I might have cost me $50,000 but because we were the first jersey sponsor of any sport in this country it became a front-page story,” he said.
“I remember it was Page 1 of the Australian at the time. Everyone was talking about it and not just in the rugby league states.
“From the publicity it created, I got my value out of it in the first 24 hours. Anyone who didn’t know City Ford soon did. It was the birth of sports sponsorship in this country.
“Within two years every club in the competition had a name on the front of their jerseys.
“We had a glamour team that had just won two grand finals. The players were in the papers every day. It was great value.”
These days Politis is now the most powerful and influential club official in the NRL.
Not that it was always like that.
“At the time when Humphreys knocked me back, I didn’t know anyone at the NRL,” he recalls.
“I got close to Geoff Prenter, the editor of Rugby league Week, who got behind the idea to help make it all happen.
“Geoff had a lot of influence with officials in those days and really campaigned hard.”
The 40-year milestone is something the Roosters chairman is immensely proud of.
“It’s very special because it brings back so many great memories,” he said
“I didn’t think I’d be around for 40 years — it’s actually frightening when you look back.
“We’ve had a lot of ups and downs, we’ve had Super League, we’ve won grand finals and we’ve had some truly great players. There’s been some tough times but it’s been an unbelievable ride.”
In those days there were no corporate suites for sponsors to entertain clients.
“All we got were a couple of meat pies in the Roosters lounge with Ron Jones, the old boss, and Cardinal Freeman. That was about it.”
Ferguson and Fairfax spoke of their pride in book ending the anniversary.
“No man has ever done as much for this club or probably any other rugby league club,” Fairfax said.
“I’ve still got my jersey from that game framed at home.
“Nick was fantastic to the players. We’d get a car when we needed one and he’d do anything to help us. I’m really proud of what he’s done for the Roosters”
Ferguson too speaks of the great influence Politis has had on his wonderful redemption story in recent years.
“Nick’s a players man,” Ferguson said, ”He’s been great for me since the first time I met him.
“All the advice he gives has been a massive help in turning my life around.”

[eddie]

Thanks Moose.
I recall when City Ford changed our jersey.
I thought it was cool because John Goss had recently won Bathurst in an XB falcon.

My old man wasn't impressed , but he did concede that at least the two word sponser name didn't intrude on the V design.
Funny the stuff you remember.

[Monaco's Fan Club]

Great piece.

[Johnny.]

No Nick No Club.

[eddie]

No Nick No Club.

Pretty much sums it up.
Cutting to the chase is an under-rated communication skill.

[zac]

Thanks Nick!

[roosterproud]

Thanks Moose.
I recall when City Ford changed our jersey.
I thought it was cool because John Goss had recently won Bathurst in an XB falcon.

My old man wasn't impressed , but he did concede that at least the two word sponser name didn't intrude on the V design.
Funny the stuff you remember.

john goss never drove an xb. he won in 74 (the year of the new xb falcon)in a xa coupe. Ford sacked him from the team because he suggested that the xa falcon was way quicker than the xb falcons and he refused to drive one. just abit of knowledge sharing.


well done uncle NIC

[eddie]

john goss never drove an xb. he won in 74 (the year of the new xb falcon)in a xa coupe. Ford sacked him from the team because he suggested that the xa falcon was way quicker than the xb falcons and he refused to drive one. just abit of knowledge sharing.
well done uncle NIC

You're correct of course, thanks.

[morley101]

2 premierships
6 Minor Premierships
2 World club Championships
5 runners-up

[Insider]

2 premierships
6 Minor Premierships
2 World club Championships
5 runners-up

Doesn't do him justice really does it. Kinda smacks u in the face when u look at it written down like that. Only 2 in 40 years, hopefully he gets to see a few more before he goes.

[The Axe]

No Nick No Club.

Nick won't live forever and this is our greatest risk. I just hope Nick has good succession planning. Thanks Uncle Nick. You deserve an OBE or higher for services to RL

[Jacks Fur Coat]

The virtue is in the struggle not the prize..

[novice chook]

Doesn't do him justice really does it. Kinda smacks u in the face when u look at it written down like that. Only 2 in 40 years, hopefully he gets to see a few more before he goes.

There are some clubs and supporters who would be more than happy with those stats. And if Politis was in it for the success only, he would have cut his losses long ago, given we've had our ups and downs in the 40 years he's been associated with the club.

[JAF]

TiN - Trust in Nick!