Sportsmen all over the county will be mourning the loss of a great character and friend with the news that Steve Nicholls passed away last week at the age of 62.

 Perhaps better known as “Quasi” to his friends, Steve’s larger than life personality and his talent for making people laugh will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

 A promising goalkeeper in his earlier years, Steve played in the West Midlands (Regional) League for Sankeys before finishing his playing days for Red Lion Rangers in Wellington.

 His cricketing career also began at Sankeys, before spending the best part of 20 years at Wellington Cricket Club where his enthusiasm and sense of humour quickly made him a favourite in the Pavilion. 

 He captained Wellington’s third team and for around 15 years took charge of their annual cricket tour to Cornwall. He retired from playing around six years ago, but still remained in touch, running the outside bar at the bon fire display each year. 

 But it is at the Sir John Bayley Club where he will be missed most today as both a bowler and snooker player.

 Steve first started playing bowls at the Bowring in the early 70’s before moving on to Glynwed and finally the Bayley in the early 80’s where he played in the Mid-Shropshire league and subsequently the Shropshire Premier League.

 He won the Bylet Doubles with Robin Clarke in 1986 and Robin has fond memories of their time together.

 He recalls they decided to adopt a more professional approach to their game and to limit themselves to just a couple of pints before taking to the green.

 Unfortunately at the very first competition of that season, the Crescent Doubles, their pie and chips arrived just as they were called out onto the green – prompting them to arrive with a wood in one hand and half a pie in the other!  The knowing looks they gave each other signalled the end of their short-lived professionalism.

 Robin and Steve also formed a formidable partnership on the snooker table, winning the Telford league’s doubles title and three-a-side championship together.

 Steve also won the old Wrekin League title and played for the Bayley’s A team for over 20 years – but it was in the old Shrewsbury League that Steve was to gain notoriety when he decided to walk the eleven miles back home to Wellington after vowing to walk home if he lost his match at Rolls Royce.

 Shortly afterwards, the heavens opened and when his team-mates passed him along the way the visibility was so bad that they drove past him leaving him to phone his dad to pick him up.

 Steve leaves behind a legacy of similar stories that have enriched the lives of so many of his friends and team mates.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

 The funeral will take place next Monday (October 18th) at Lawley Church.