This was the first recognition officially granted to the man who was not just a fan, as the title suggests, but was a true fanatic in the essential meaning of the word.
"[2] He lived and breathed for Balmain and attended every game for 30 years at Leichhardt Oval before the club merged with Western Suburbs Magpies.
[3] In 2017, Fox Sports Commentator Andrew Voss, has declared Laurie Nichols to be the NRL's best fan.
Wayne Pearce, who was coach at the time, says that Laurie voiced his acceptance of the team, that he told the boys to keep the heart of the Tigers and that he wished them all the best.
Benny Elias and close friend Johnny Lewis say that Laurie would never have said such a thing, and that he was always heartbroken about what happened to the team and to the club.