Happy 55th Birthday to Nicky Platnauer

CCFPA sends birthday greetings to our member, former Sky Blue midfielder Nicky Platnauer. Born in Leicester on 10th June 1961

Though a Northampton Town apprentice, then playing non-league football with Bedford Town since 1979 he was a Bedford bank clerk when Bristol Rovers came calling in 1982. He had got 26 games at Eastville under his belt (8 goals)  when former Sky Blue striker turned new gaffer Bobby Gould brought Nicky and colleague Graham Withey to Highfield Road as part of his bargain basement team building exercise in August 1983 for a joint fee of £35000.  He made his Division 1 debut as sub on the 27th in a 3-2 victory at Watford followed up by a full debut two days later at Spurs in a 1-1 draw.  Before moving on to Birmingham City in December 1984 Nick had made 53 Sky Blues first team appearances (6 goals).

Nicky has also had spells at Reading (loan-1986), Cardiff City (1986), Notts. County (1989), Port Vale (loan-1991), Leicester City (1991), Scunthorpe United (1993), Kettering Town (trial-1993), Mansfield (1993), and Lincoln City (1994). He has a career total of 473 games (27 goals) in a very varied career. Moving off the pitch into management Nicky has since assisted Bedworth United (1995 -assistant manager), Hinckley United (1997); Rothwell Town (2000-Manager), Kettering Town (2003- caretaker manager), Bedford Town (2004-Manager), and Hinckley United (2007-Assistant manager then manager). He was most recently manager of Bedford Town (2011-13)

Happy Birthday Nicky. Hope to see you at the Ricoh as our guest next season!