Nick Daws

Daws was born in Manchester.[1] He is arguably one of the more successful players to come from Altrincham, having made the transition from Non-League football to carve out a successful career in the Football League. He joined Altrincham from Flixton in October 1987, as a 17-year-old and impressed the management with his performances in the reserves. These performances meant that he made his first-team debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final defeat against Runcorn, which ended in a 1–4 defeat. Nicky ended his first season by scoring his first goal for the club in the last game of the season. Over the next two seasons he worked at establishing himself in the first team. For Altrincham he was ever-present during the 1990–91 season when Altrincham came so close to regaining the Conference National title.

In August 1992, Daws joined the professional ranks with a move to Bury Initially playing as a part-time professional he enjoyed a successful first season which included a man of the match performance against Manchester United in the English League Cup at Old Trafford. The season ended in disappointment, when ankle surgery forced him to miss the Play-off semi-final defeat to York City. Following an injury effected 93/94 campaign, Daws signed a full-time contract with the Shakers and became an integral part of the club's rise to the 2nd flight of English football. As one of the sides most consistent performers, the 1994–95 season ended with Play-off Final defeat to Chesterfield at Wembley Stadium. However success was to follow over the following two seasons with consecutive promotions that included a Division 2 Champions Medal and promotion to the 1st Division. Despite being one of the leagues minnows, Bury sustained their status for the next two years and it was during this time that Daws enhanced his reputation as an all action midfielder. Following relegation to Division 2, Daws was appointed Captain, but due to financial problems at Bury, they struggled to maintain a promotion challenge. On 26 February 2000 and following 223 consecutive appearances suspension ended Daws' run which encompassed two promotions over 4+1⁄2 years. The 2000–01 season proved to the last of his 9 years at Gigg Lane and in July, a move to the newly promoted Rotherham United gave Nick the chance to return to the Championship, signing a 3-year contract.

Daws signed for The Millers on a free transfer at the start of the 2001–02 campaign and slotted straight into his usual position, playing under his new manager Ronnie Moore. Daws was to remain at United for the next four seasons for the club, and just over 70 league appearances in his three seasons with United, scoring twice. In September 2003 and January 2004, Daws was loaned out to Grimsby Town where he made a total of 18 appearances combining both spells. Daws returned from Blundell Park at the end of the 2003–04 season, but failed to save Grimsby from relegation. He remained with Rotherham for the 2004–05 season, but failed to make a single appearance. He would eventually retire in the summer of 2005, his final professional game was a 3–0 away defeat against Wrexham on 6 March 2004 whilst playing for Grimsby.