[60s 70s Spireite]

metallilad, on 31 October 2016 - 05:14 PM, said:

Didn't he start Evo in midfield that season, then (through injuries) he put him in defence next to Blathers. The start of a special journey for him.

'
I believe the story is that Barry H wouldn't let him sign another centre half; so he concocted a plan that he and Evo pretend he was a midfielder; who, after 'injuries' etc, would have to be 'converted' to a centre half.

[Spireite-Karl]

brew_army, on 31 October 2016 - 02:04 AM, said:

Never got the testimonial he deserved

It was clear to see that Nivo was slowly declining in standards in his last two or three years with us to what he was for the most part of his career, though he still gave everything he possibly could. Looking back it made me wonder if his cancer had an effect of him in the last year or two before it was diagnosed as he was gradually losing his high effectiveness, strength and the ability to boss a midfield. He never had any real quality in terms of skill and passing you'd expect in first team third division midfielder, but more than made up for this with his heart, desiree and engine room. His partnership with Allott (another quality under rated town player) was a dream one and they knew each others game to a tee.
It really p!$$@d me of at the time that he didn't get a testimonial (even though he fell short with his service to us), as he epitomised everything you could possibly think of in a totally loyal club player and in the ultimate professional that gave his all on and off the field. He certainly should have been looked after by the club in my eyes, but then again this lot only look after themselves! To say it still rankles with me to this day is an understatement!! Clearly the cancer robbed him of a few more years in the professional game, so would it have hurt the club to let him have a send off and one last decent payday after what he'd given us and what he'd been through?? Even if they'd have charged him for the stewarding!

[ash_cfc]

Spireite-Karl, on 31 October 2016 - 05:45 PM, said:

It was clear to see that Nivo was slowly declining in standards in his last two or three years with us to what he was for the most part of his career, though he still gave everything he possibly could. Looking back it made me wonder if his cancer had an effect of him in the last year or two before it was diagnosed as he was gradually losing his high effectiveness, strength and the ability to boss a midfield. He never had any real quality in terms of skill and passing you'd expect in first team third division midfielder, but more than made up for this with his heart, desiree and engine room. His partnership with Allott (another quality under rated town player) was a dream one and they knew each others game to a tee.
It really p!$$@d me of at the time that he didn't get a testimonial (even though he fell short with his service to us), as he epitomised everything you could possibly think of in a totally loyal club player and in the ultimate professional that gave his all on and off the field. He certainly should have been looked after by the club in my eyes, but then again this lot only look after themselves! To say it still rankles with me to this day is an understatement!! Clearly the cancer robbed him of a few more years in the professional game, so would it have hurt the club to let him have a send off and one last decent payday after what he'd given us and what he'd been through?? Even if they'd have charged him for the stewarding!

Good post is this. Do we know if Niven has been at the Proact at all since leaving? Would be good to get him down on a Saturday in the lounges. Highly thought of here. The goal against Grimsby, Man City volley & last goal at Saltergate are real stand out moments. Certain personalities have a knack of putting themselves in folklore and he's definately one of them!

[Guest_freelander2_*]

brockwell-spireite, on 30 October 2016 - 11:06 PM, said:

he never had much quality... he did have heart and massive work rate... which we could definitely do with!

One of my all time favourite players.

[Geordieblue]

Is it just me but I seem to remember him having a few very very good games towards his last few months with us. If he could have sorted his passing out he could have gone a lot further.
Having said that though, a true legend for sure.

[Spire_78]

Why not bring him back, would improve our current midfield

[hilly81]

Spire_78, on 01 November 2016 - 09:36 PM, said:

Why not bring him back, would improve our current midfield

To be fair, I reckon I would improve our midfield.

[Spire-Heights]

hilly81, on 01 November 2016 - 09:38 PM, said:

To be fair, I reckon I would improve our midfield.

To be fair, my dog would. He'd get stuck in more, want the ball more, give the opposition no time on the ball and bark louder instructions out.

This post has been edited by Spire-Heights: 01 November 2016 - 09:48 PM