Thomas Chapman (footballer)

Thomas Chapman (1871 — 1929) was a Welsh professional footballer. He began his career with Newtown before joining Football League side Manchester City and Grimsby Town. He joined Chatham Town in 1898 but was forced to move on when the club folded in 1901. He later spent several season with Maidstone United. He also earned seven caps for Wales between 1894 and 1897.

Thomas Chapman
Personal information
Date of birth 1871
Place of birth Newtown, Wales
Date of death 1929 (aged 57–58)
Place of death Chatham, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Position(s) Half back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1890–1895 Newtown
1895–1896 Manchester City 26 (3)
1896–1898 Grimsby Town 51 (0)
1898–1901 Chatham Town
1901–1907 Maidstone United
National team
1894–1897 Wales 7 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Born in Newtown, Powys, Chapman began his career with his hometown side Newtown in 1890. He spent five years at the club,[1] helping the side to victory in the 1895 Welsh Cup final in a 3–2 win over Wrexham.[2] In 1895, he joined Football League side Manchester City, becoming the first former Newtown player to play in the league. At City, he joined up with fellow Welshman Billy Meredith who described Chapman as "a capital centre-half who never knew when he was beaten". He spent one season with City, making 26 league appearances and scoring 3 times.[1]

Chapman signed for Grimsby Town in 1896, making 51 appearances in two years. During his time with Grimsby, he became one of the club's first international players when he and teammate Hugh Morris played in a 4–0 defeat to England in 1897.[3] He dropped out of the Football League to join Chatham Town in 1898. He spent three years with Chatham but was forced to move on when the club suffered financial difficulties and folded in 1901. He subsequently joined Maidstone United where he finished his career in March 1907.[1]

During his career, Chapman won seven caps for the Wales national football team. He made his debut in 1894, playing in all three of his countries' fixtures during the 1893–94 British Home Championship. He won his final cap in 1897 against England.[1]

References
  1. Davies, Gareth M; Garland, Ian (1991). Who's Who of Welsh International Soccer Players. Bridge Books. pp. 25–26. ISBN 1-872424-11-2.
  2. "Welsh Cup 1877 – to date: the finals". Welsh Football Data Archive. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  3. "International Mariners". Grimsby Town F.C. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
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