SCOTT Nicholls has paid tribute to Peterborough promoter Colin Pratt after his sad passing at the weekend.
Pratt, 82, has been battling cancer for a year and the family announced his passing on Saturday after a brave fight.
Pratt had a stunning career as a promoter with Cradley, Coventry, Swindon and latterly Peterborough where he remained a named promoter during his illness.
Nicholls said: “I knew Colin hadn’t been well for a while now and I had been to see him a couple of times during the course of the season. He wasn’t well but it was good to catch up with him.
“I spoke to Troy (Pratt) on Friday on the way to the BT Sport studios and he told me he was poorly and I wanted to ring Colin but I sent him a text message instead which Troy read out to him which was good.
“He was a huge influence on my career and we had some great times together at Coventry winning league titles and cups.
“You knew where you stood with Colin and you never messed him about because he would always have your back and look after you if you did your job.”
Nicholls will be back at the Showground with Panthers on Thursday for their rearranged play-off semi-final with Wolverhampton (7.30).