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When Nicholson entered the arena prior to kick-off, he stared into the packed, noisy Shed End with delight, then turned to Zander Diamond pumping a clenched fist. It was as if he was thinking: "Yes. This is why I left Dunfermline. This is what it is all about." It was not long until the fans were singing his name.
Despite being forced to play out of position at right wing-back, the wee man had a dream debut. He scored the Dons' equaliser, ghosting in at the far post in a manner that would come familiar to the Dons support in the following three seasons, and for most of the game looked like he'd been playing for us for years. He snapped around the United midfield constantly, showing the tenaciousness and box-to-box ability that would become his trademark.
The rest of Barry Nic's first season is lamented by some Dons as seeing him drift in and out of games, perhaps a victim of our gaffer's obsession with tactical and positional changes and defensive style of football that was deemed necessary that season. In the following campaigns however, Barry became as close to being irreplaceable as the Dons have had in recent years. A teamsheet without him caused concern on the terraces, but thankfully this was a rare sighting - Nicholson seemed indestructible, shrugging off knocks and becoming the most consistent player at the club.
He went on to become a vital figure in the Jimmy Calderwood revolution at Aberdeen, helping the Dons from laughing stock to formidable force in Scottish football - and ultimately back into Europe. The peak of Barry's time at Aberdeen came during his final season at the club, when the Dons reached the last 32 of the UEFA Cup, where he locked horns with Toni, Klose and Podolski.
That the Dons took part in the UEFA Cup last season was directly down to a traditional never-say-die effort from Barry at Tynecastle on the 6th of May 2007. Aberdeen was playing closest third-place challengers Hearts and a loss would surely mean no European football yet again for the Dons. Hearts scored in the first half, and all looked lost for the Red Army until up popped Nicholson, ghosting into the box to slam home a last-minute equaliser.
His delight was so much that he removed his shirt and tore towards the mental Dons support - forgetting that he had already been booked in the game. As he sheepishly reappeared from the melee, he got a red card for his celebration but he had done his bit. Two weeks later, Barry would be celebrating again as the Dons beat Rangers to clinch a UEFA Cup place for the first time in years.
He was a true Number 8, and thoroughly deserved to follow the likes of club legends Neil Simpson and Jim Bett in donning that shirt. His goal threat will be missed at Pittodrie, as well as his engine - it was not uncommon to see Barry clearing a goal-bound shot off the line then being on the end of the subsequent counter-attack.
It is no surprise that wee Bazza has ended up down in England, although the manner of his "will he, won't he" exit has tainted his reputation with the Dons support somewhat. However, that there is a thread on the Aberdeen-Mad messageboard that is regularly updated when he scores for Preston speaks volumes for the high regard he is still kept in.
Good luck Barry!
Born - 24/8/78
Place of birth - Dumfries
Previous Clubs - Rangers, Dunfermline
Signed for Aberdeen - June 2005
Fee - £250 000 (estimated)
Signed for Dunfermline - August 2000
Fee - £200 000
Signed for rangers - July 1995
Fee - 'S' Form signing
Barry Nicholson - Aberdeen career
Appearances 124
Sub 1
Goals 21
Yellows 13
Reds 1