Master Engineer Gary NicholsonGAZETTE & HERALD: Friends and teammates have been paying tribute to talented rugby player and devoted father-of-two Gary Nicholson, who died in the Hercules crash.

Master Engineer Nicholson, 42, of Griffiths Close, Stratton St Margaret, spent several seasons playing for both Swindon Rugby Football Club and Swindon College Old Boys Rugby Club in the late 80s and early 90s.

Known to friends as Gary Nic, he leaves two sons, Adrian and Stuart, and partner, Rachel.

Tony Brant, 43, of Bowood Road, captained the Swindon side during some of the period Mr Nicholson was with the club.

He said: "Gary was playing at tight head prop when we got through the first round of the John Player Cup after beating Ruislip 22-0 in either the '88 or '89 season.

"He was an outstanding player and he replaced a county prop as well as being an outstanding person. It was a hell of a shock when that plane came down and a desperate shame."

Mr Brant, who coached at Wootton Bassett for five years, remembers Master Engineer Nicholson not just as a great player but also a fun and lively man off the pitch.

He said: "He was always laughing or smiling and would always come over and shake your hand and get you a beer even if you hadn't seen him for months.

"He was one of the genuine people and very caring for others around him."

Martin Popowicz, 42, of Filford Drive, played in the front row with Mr Nicholson. He described as one of the best players he'd taken the field with.

"He was a big character but he let his rugby do the talking on the pitch and just got on with his game," said Mr Popowicz.

A minute's silence was observed for Mr Nicholson before Swindon's home game against Chipping Norton on Saturday, and prior to kick off in Swindon College's match against Wheatley.

He was also a devoted Bath Rugby supporter and before the home match on Saturday players and fans held a minute's silence in memory of all those killed in the crash.

Fellow fans also paid their respects on the club's website. A notice posted by a user called swindonbathfan said: "It is with an enormously heavy heart that I write to tell those of you who ever met, spoke to or knew Gary that he was tragically killed in the RAF crash in Iraq on Sunday 30th January.

"Gary loved and played rugby for many years and was often to be found drinking champagne (guinness or red wine!) in the Lambretta, box 22 and the clubhouse."

Another user called TigersNik wrote: "My husband is aircrew at Lyneham and knew Gary, he said what an absolutely 'larger than life character he was' and one of life's nice guys.

"On behalf of my husband (who is on detachment at the moment) and myself we too send our thoughts and condolences to his family and to all who lost their lives, this is tragic.

"I know I can say this loss has left the majority of people at Lyneham feeling extremely numb and in shock.

"How fitting that Bath held a minute's silence before the match this evening, I was moved to tears, what a heartfelt tribute."

The RAF Lyneham website also paid tribute to Mrr Nicholson saying: "Gary Nic was known and loved by all who worked with him.

"It has been commented once or twice in the past that you could hear him before you could see him; seeing him was not a problem either as he was a giant of a man, with a giant heart and ebullient nature.

"Indeed, Gary was the embodiment of a Master Air Engineer and in the finest traditions of the service, always put the interests of his subordinates before himself.

"Gary leaves behind two sons who he loved and nurtured with a tenderness rarely seen. He will be sorely missed."

Runners and friends of the North Wiltshire Hash House Harriers also raised a glass in memory to fellow runner Mst Eng Nicholson last night.

The club, which describes itself as a drinking club with a running problem, met at the Village Inn in Shaw after completing a social jog.

Mr Nicholson, who would have celebrated one of his sons' birthdays yesterday, had been a member of the club for more than six years.

Club member Jack Dipper said: "Everyone gets a nickname and Gary's was Pampers because of his big bum.

"He was a very up front person and you couldn't miss him, although of course we do now.

"He was also a very clever guy, very well read and very quick and witty."

The club's grand master Roger Sommerville, 60, of Nythe, said: "Gary was a full on bloke who lived life to the full. We got the news when we were skiing with a group of 25 people and everyone has their own memories of him.

"Gary organised a weekend run two or three years ago which started up at the Lyneham base and went all round the camp. We finished by having a tour of his Hercules and he took a picture of us all sat in the back of it. He may not have been that old but he lived his life to the full."

Andy Titcombe said: "You never saw him upset about anything and he always had a happy face on him.''

The club are collating memories and pictures of Mr Nicholson in order to create a tributes page on their website in memory of their friend.