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Roy Chapman (football manager)
Encyclopedia
Roy Chapman was an English
professional footballer and manager, born in Birmingham
. He was the father of former Arsenal
and Leeds United
striker Lee Chapman
.
An inside-forward, he started his career at Aston Villa
in 1952, before he moved on to Lincoln City
five years later in order to find first team football. In 1961 he was sold to Mansfield Town
, where he remained for the next four years, before he returned to Lincoln as the club's player-manager in 1965. He gave up his management duties the following year, before moving on to Port Vale
in 1967. In all he scored 200 goals in 415 games in the Football League
.
In 1969 he joined Stafford Rangers
via Chester City
. He was also given the management job at Rangers, and held this position until 1975, at which point he was made manager of Stockport County
. His reign at Stockport was brief, and he became a coach before returning to Stafford for a second spell as manager in 1977, before he left for a second time in 1980. As Stafford manager he led the club to a Northern Premier League
, FA Trophy
, and Staffordshire Senior Cup
treble in 1972; as well as another Staffs Cup victory in 1973 and another FA Trophy success in 1979.
, where he made 19 appearances in the First Division
before joining Lincoln City
in November 1957. Four years later he moved for £7,000 to Mansfield Town
, scoring 30 league goals in the 1962–63 promotion season from Division Four
.
He returned to Lincoln as player-manager in 1965 and in August of that year he came on as a substitute, replacing Bunny Larkin
, this was the first substitution in the club's history. In October 1966 he reverted to solely a playing capacity as Ron Gray
was appointed as manager.
In June 1967, he joined Port Vale
in a playing capacity. An ever-present in the 1967–68 season
, of which he was the club's top scorer with 24 goals, he also scored 12 goals the next season
to once again become the top marksman.
His final playing club in The Football League
was Chester
, who he joined in May 1969. He struck five goals in four pre-season friendly matches, and then followed it up with two goals on his league debut at Scunthorpe United
to take his career tally to 200. Though just one more league goal followed in his next eight league games and Chapman moved on to non-league side Nuneaton Borough before joining Stafford Rangers
as player-manager.
, Northern Premier League
and Staffordshire Senior Cup
in 1972. Rangers topped the league with 71 points, and beat Barnet
3–0 at Wembley in the Trophy final. This was followed up by him leading Rangers to the FA Cup
fourth round three years later. He then returned to professional circles with a short spell as Stockport County
manager, where he signed George Best
on a short-term deal. His reign at Stockport was short and he returned to Port Vale as a coach in August 1976, before being sacked in May 1977 and returning to Stafford.
In his second spell in charge of Rangers he led them to another FA Trophy triumph (this time a 2–0 victory over Kettering Town
) before standing down in 1980.
He died in Stoke-on-Trent
, three days after his 49th birthday. He had suffered a fatal heart attack
, when playing in a five-a-side tournament.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
professional footballer and manager, born in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
. He was the father of former Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
and Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
striker Lee Chapman
Lee Chapman
Lee Chapman is an English former footballer who scored almost 200 first-team goals as a striker. He was best known for his spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United...
.
An inside-forward, he started his career at Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
in 1952, before he moved on to Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
five years later in order to find first team football. In 1961 he was sold to Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
, where he remained for the next four years, before he returned to Lincoln as the club's player-manager in 1965. He gave up his management duties the following year, before moving on to Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in 1967. In all he scored 200 goals in 415 games in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
.
In 1969 he joined Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
via Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
. He was also given the management job at Rangers, and held this position until 1975, at which point he was made manager of Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
. His reign at Stockport was brief, and he became a coach before returning to Stafford for a second spell as manager in 1977, before he left for a second time in 1980. As Stafford manager he led the club to a Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
, FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
, and Staffordshire Senior Cup
Staffordshire Senior Cup
The Staffordshire Senior Challenge Cup is a football cup tournament based in the county of Staffordshire in England first competed for in 1877-78. Organised by the Staffordshire Football Association, it is competed for by a mix of clubs from Staffordshire and the surrounding areas. Both...
treble in 1972; as well as another Staffs Cup victory in 1973 and another FA Trophy success in 1979.
Playing style
A two footed player, he was aggressive and had ball control skills, but lacked pace.Playing career
Chapman began his professional playing career with Aston VillaAston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, where he made 19 appearances in the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
before joining Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
in November 1957. Four years later he moved for £7,000 to Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
, scoring 30 league goals in the 1962–63 promotion season from Division Four
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
.
He returned to Lincoln as player-manager in 1965 and in August of that year he came on as a substitute, replacing Bunny Larkin
Bunny Larkin
Bernard Patrick "Bunny" Larkin is a former English professional footballer who played at inside-forward or wing-half. He played in the First Division of the Football League and in European competition for Birmingham City.-Biography:...
, this was the first substitution in the club's history. In October 1966 he reverted to solely a playing capacity as Ron Gray
Ron Gray (footballer)
Ron Gray is a former association football football player, manager and scout. Born in North Shields, wing half Gray started his professional year in 1938 with Sheffield United, later moving to Lincoln City, Notts County and finally Watford, before retiring at the age of 26 due to injury...
was appointed as manager.
In June 1967, he joined Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in a playing capacity. An ever-present in the 1967–68 season
1967–68 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1967–68 season was Port Vale's fifty-sixth season of football in the Football League, and their third successive season in the Fourth Division. A poor season saw them battle to mid-table in order to avoid the re-election zone. Yet it would be off-the-field developments that would worry Vale...
, of which he was the club's top scorer with 24 goals, he also scored 12 goals the next season
1968–69 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1968–69 season was Port Vale's fifty-seventh season of football in the Football League, and their fourth successive season in the Fourth Division. New manager Gordon Lee used the season to consolidate the club after it was readmitted to the Football League immediately after being expelled for...
to once again become the top marksman.
His final playing club in The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
was Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, who he joined in May 1969. He struck five goals in four pre-season friendly matches, and then followed it up with two goals on his league debut at Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
to take his career tally to 200. Though just one more league goal followed in his next eight league games and Chapman moved on to non-league side Nuneaton Borough before joining Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
as player-manager.
Managerial career
Chapman steered Stafford Rangers to a treble of the FA TrophyFA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
, Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
and Staffordshire Senior Cup
Staffordshire Senior Cup
The Staffordshire Senior Challenge Cup is a football cup tournament based in the county of Staffordshire in England first competed for in 1877-78. Organised by the Staffordshire Football Association, it is competed for by a mix of clubs from Staffordshire and the surrounding areas. Both...
in 1972. Rangers topped the league with 71 points, and beat Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
3–0 at Wembley in the Trophy final. This was followed up by him leading Rangers to the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
fourth round three years later. He then returned to professional circles with a short spell as Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
manager, where he signed George Best
George Best
George Best was a professional footballer from Northern Ireland, who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was a winger whose game combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to beat defenders...
on a short-term deal. His reign at Stockport was short and he returned to Port Vale as a coach in August 1976, before being sacked in May 1977 and returning to Stafford.
In his second spell in charge of Rangers he led them to another FA Trophy triumph (this time a 2–0 victory over Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
) before standing down in 1980.
Later life and death
After leaving Rangers he took up the position as manager of Walsall Sports Company.He died in Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
, three days after his 49th birthday. He had suffered a fatal heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
, when playing in a five-a-side tournament.
as a Player
with Mansfield Town- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
fourth place promotion: 1962–63
as a Manager
with Stafford Rangers- Northern Premier LeagueNorthern Premier LeagueThe Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
champion: 1971–72 - FA TrophyFA TrophyThe Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
winner: 1972 & 1979 - Staffordshire Senior CupStaffordshire Senior CupThe Staffordshire Senior Challenge Cup is a football cup tournament based in the county of Staffordshire in England first competed for in 1877-78. Organised by the Staffordshire Football Association, it is competed for by a mix of clubs from Staffordshire and the surrounding areas. Both...
winner: 1972 & 1973
External links
- Profile at Lincoln City's official site