a mate of mine knew him vaguely when he was a kid in Brissel

Said everyone knew him as Tricky and he was a right little tearaway, so perhaps that's how he got his nickname. I always assumed yours was a play on words - ie. Tricky Whores, so maybe as Suggy suggests it's maybe time honoured. A quick google reveals a Tricky Hawes that played for Sunderland - unless that's your great Uncle too: User Posted Link

'"Tricky" Hawes, inside left, who always played with a white handkerchief in his hand, also came from Shields.'

Posted By: BerlinCanary, May 30, 12:29:00