A FORMER Saints' half-back who cut his Rugby League teeth at Knowsley Road in the1970s has been appointed to a top administrative hot seat - with deadly rivals Wigan!

For high-flying 41-year-old businessman Mike Nolan has taken over the chairman's role at Central Park from Arthur Thomas, who resigned as one of the game's most famous clubs teetered on the brink of financial disaster.

Mr. Thomas's departure followed in the wake of those of Jack Robinson and Tom Rathbone, and it is fair to say that a wind of change is wafting through Central Park, and Mr Nolan is determined to ensure that it blows in the right direction once more.

"Coming from a Rugby League background, I always had a desire to become involved in boardroom affairs," said Mike, who owns a Wigan-based finance company and vehicle leasing facility, as well as acting as a players' agent at Saints and other clubs before taking up his current role.

"Restoration of financial stability will be my main priority at Wigan, because I like to think I can handle money and believe the rescue operation being mounted at the club will prove a sound investment.

"The ownership of my previous sports management business - and with it acting for players - has been passed lock-stock-and-barrel to Tommy Cunningham, who is a former team-mate at Saints.

"I was invited needed to nail my colours to the Central Park mast by director John Martin, and the ground-sharing deal with Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan at Robin Park is done and dusted and will be implemented within two years," added Mr. Nolan And, as if to underline his commitment to being an hands-on boss, Mike Nolan was immediately instrumental in obtaining the release of super-star Jason Robinson from his ARL contract in order to play in Saturday's Test versus Australia

Born in Burtonwood, educated at West Park School and now living in Newton-le-Willows, the new man at the Central Park helm is married to Anne and the couple have four children, Kelly-Anne, Michaela, Peter and David.

After starring in schools Rugby Union, Mike's 13-a-side career kicked off at Saints' Colts team under coaches Bob Dagnall and Johnny Fishwick, with the nuggetty Nolan signing professional forms with Cunningham, Harry Pinner and Johnny Smith in 1974.

However, Mike was destined to spend a lengthy apprenticeship in the 'A' team before making his senior debut, and this came - ironically - at Central Park in 1976 when Saints' fielded a complete reserve side, with Wigan taking advantage to romp home 37-5, on a day when Green Vigo scored seven tries.

For the record Saints' team that day was: Taylor; Howard, Thompson, Platt, A. N. Other; Nolan, Smith; Courtney, Cunningham, Pickavance, Hope (try), Brown, Pinner (goal). Substitutes Grimes, Hughes.

With competition for places intense Mike Nolan made just two full and three substitute appearances in which he scored one try at senior level during his stay at Knowsley Road before moving to Rochdale Hornets.

But he is assured of one notable distinction - he is the first ex-Saint to come a director of the old enemy, let alone chairman!

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