Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
201	193	8	52	70	2	298

As Rovers progressed to their second Wembley final in 1967, a youngster who had been signed from the juniors that season was asked to deputise for regular stand-off Mick Smith in some of the league games before the final. That youngster was Steve Nash, who made his senior debut v Halifax on 11 March 1967 and played five games at number 6. He was, however, a scrum-half and after the euphoria of Wembley, he settled down to being understudy to Carl Dooler whom, with Don Fox, had been his scrum-half idol as a youngster and that was the position he wanted. His chance came sooner than expected. Dooler was in dispute with the club midway through the following season, and then moved to Hull KR; Nash took the opportunity to stake his claim very forcibly as his successor.

He was an immediate success and his 1968/69 season was described as outstanding.  It was followed by an even greater demonstration of his skills and talent as he appeared in all 41 of the games played by the club in 1969/70. He was consistently voted Man of the Match and finished second to Roger Millward in the Player of the Match competition which was introduced for that season. His exhilarating displays produced 14 tries and 17 goals and the only disappointment was the Yorkshire Cup final defeat by Hull. His first major setback however occurred in August 1970, when he tore knee ligaments in the home game with Wigan. He was out of action until January 1971, when he returned at Hunslet and his effervescent presence immediately inspired the side to register a 17 -16 victory after four successive defeats. He scored a try described thus: 'and his peculiar mixture of style and strength left four defenders floundering'. His brilliant form paved the way for his international debut for Great Britain against France on 17 March 1971, the start of an impressive Test career.  He also made his debut for Yorkshire against Lancashire at Leigh on 29 September 1971, scoring a try in the 42-22 victory - this was the start of a long and successful career.

Success followed success as 1972/73 brought further landmarks. He captained Yorkshire in a 23-14 victory over Cumberland, scoring both tries, and he was then selected for the World Cup competition in France in October. He played in all four of Great Britain's games including the final when although drawing 10-10 with Australia, Great Britain took the championship with a better qualifying points record. At club level, he made 35 appearances contributing to a surge to second position in the league, Rovers highest ever position prior to the switch to two divisions. The Challenge Cup victories over Salford, Rochdale and Warrington gave them a semi-final draw against local rivals Castleford. Nash had sparkled against Salford and Warrington, but he was the shining star of the 17-3 victory, and he followed this with another Man of the Match display in the 33-14 demolition of Bradford Northern in the final. His 'effervescent work in every phase of play' earned him the Lance Todd trophy - thus emulating his idol Carl Dooler, who won the trophy with Rovers in 1967. He was back on the Wembley trail again in 1974 as the Rovers progressed to their second successive final, but this time it was to be defeat at the hands of Warrington by 24 points to 9.

After Test duty against the Australian tourists in November 1973,he then departed for the I974 tour of Australasia, playing in all six Tests against Australia and New Zealand and impressing with a Tour record of 16 appearances, 5 tries and 1 goal. He returned with a knee injury which severely restricted his club appearances in 1974/75. Although captain, he only made 11 appearances but such was his talent that when he did play, he inevitably dominated and scored 5 tries. More international duties called in the World Championship series in Australia and New Zealand in June and when he returned, he asked to be transfer-listed and he was eventually transferred to Salford for a then world record fee of £15,000. There he continued to excel with more international appearances and for Salford he made 271 appearances and enjoyed a testimonial, before having to retire after an eye operation in January 1983.

In a quality line of scrum-halves, Steve Nash rates as one of the very best in the business, not only at club but also at international level. His strength to weight ratio was extraordinary. He used every ounce of his small stature (5ft 7in and 11st), which earned him his tag of 'the little big fellow of the team', to produce dynamic performances. He had pace and strength and shirked nothing. His almost impudent and exuberant style, laced with his swift acceleration, endeared him to many as he provided such entertainment with his talent and ability.

Biography by Ron Bailey