Nick Politis, owner of a sprawling multi-car brand at Moss Vale, celebrates 44-years as the driving force behind the grand final favourites at the ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
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It was way back in 1975 that Nick emerged on the Rugby League scene, capping his initial year as the club's first naming rights sponsor with a premiership.
Not only was Nick the first to sponsor a Rugby League club through his City Ford franchise but the first to sponsor any sporting club in Australia.
Despite concerns from Ford chiefs in the USA Nick threw his hat and dollars in to the Roosters' ring.
The concerns were that people in the market for a new car would side-step City Ford due to their allegiance with the Roosters.
But, instead, the buyers flocked to City Ford, supporting a man who was supporting their game.
Nick signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Roosters head honcho Ron Jones for a $150,000 a year! City Ford were back, front and centre of the Roosters' gear.
I have known Nick Politis for close to 50-years. Nick is a good man. A very good man. I met him in the company of Kings Cross detectives, affectionately known as "the Darlo Desperates."
Nick picked up the weekly Friday lunch bill for five or six coppers, Channel 9's Ron Casey and myself. The menu was Rugby League.
At one of these animated lunches, Nick asked me if there was a way he could become involved in Rugby League I told him I would contact Ron Jones and explore the possibilities.
Ron warmed to the opportunity to have someone of Nick's business acumen willing to bolster the Roosters' income.
Nick Politis is not only a good man. He is a generous man. He cares for people who need caring for. I have lost count of the number of people, including myself that he has helped out of a hole.
When I instigated the Roosters sponsorship Nick wanted to reimburse me. I told him I didn't want any reimbursement. But I did accept half a dozen Waterford crystal wineglasses, more as a memento than a fee.
Saturday is expected to bring Nick a fifth premiership. A mutual friend recently told me that could be Nick's final season as Rooster president.
I told him not to bet on it. More likely to snow at Kings Cross than Nick Politis going anywhere.
