The hard-working utility player was one of Bobby Gould’s ten summer signings in 1983 after he succeeded Dave Sexton as manager and was faced with the walk out of eight first team players. Platnauer, who cost just £10,000, had played under Gould at Bristol Rovers after Bobby had plucked him from non-league football with Bedford Town a year earlier. It was a massive gamble by Gould and it paid off with Nick’s hard-working and enthusiastic approach winning him many fans at Coventry. He started as a striker alongside Terry Gibson but was soon winning plaudits as a tough-tackling midfield player.

He scored six goals that season including the first goal, after just 39 seconds, in the famous 4-0 victory over Liverpool in December that year. Despite losing his place early the following season it was a surprise when he was sold to Birmingham for £50,000 in December 1984. He struggled in a poor side at St Andrews and after a short loan at Reading he joined Cardiff in 1986 and was a regular at Ninian Park for the next three seasons. A £50,000 move to Notts County saw Nick, now a left-back, play at Wembley as County won the Division 3 play-off final.

In his later career he became a bit of a nomad appearing for Leicester, Scunthorpe, Mansfield and Lincoln City before a spell with non-league Hinckley United. Since hanging up his boots he has coached and managed several East Midlands’ non-league sides including Bedford Town, Rothwell and Hinckley where he coached former City players Stuart Giddings and Andy Gooding as well as his own son Leigh.