NOEL Nicklin, the former Stalybridge Celtic and Droylsden striker, has died suddenly at the age of 67 while on holiday in Spain.
Celtic held one minute’s silence before the home game against Marine as a mark of respect for Noel who had also been an excellent cricketer.
Noel, who was an England schoolboy international and on the books of Burnley, was signed by manager Peter Wragg during Celtic’s Cheshire League title winning season in 1979-80.
But he had the misfortune of breaking a leg on his debut in an away win at Bootle in February 1980.
Noel made his comeback, ironically in the return fixture against Bootle late in the season scoring twice in a 5-1 victory.
He also scored Celtic’s only goal in the 2-1 loss to Winsford United in the Cheshire League Challenge Shield.
The following season, Noel was hampered by further injuries and was allowed to leave in January 1981 when he joined Glossop.
During an injury-plagued 11 months at Bower Fold, Noel scored nine goals in 21 appearances.
Noel was an accomplished cricketer at Bolton League club Darcy Lever and, it was while away with former team-mates on annual end-of-season cricket trip to Spain when he suddenly died.