George Chapman
George Chapman was born in Broxburn, Scotland, on 23rd October, 1886. He played for Raith Rovers and Heart of Milothian in the Scottish League before joining Blackburn Rovers in 1908.
Robert Middleton appointed the former Preston North End star, Bob Holmes, as trainer. This had a good impact on the team as they obtain 4th place in the 1908-09 season. Billy Davies scored 19 goals in 27 league appearances. This included four goals against both Bristol City and Everton. Ellis Crompton (10) and Edwin Latheron (9) added to the impressive number of goals scored that season. Blackburn also won the Lancashire Cup and the East Lancashire Charity Cup that season.
George Chapman, who played at centre-half, was a great success that year but at the end of the season he was allowed to join Glasgow Rangers. He had scored 5 goals in 67 games for the club.
George Chapman returned to Blackburn Rovers in 1911. The defence now looked very strong with players like Alf Robinson, Bob Crompton, Arthur Cowell, Albert Walmsley, Percy Smith and Billy Bradshaw in the side.
The 1911-12 season began badly with Blackburn Rovers losing two of its first three games. Robert Middleton decided to move Chapman to centre-forward. Blackburn's form gradually improved and the team went on an unbeaten run that lasted three months. This took them to the top of the league. Despite being defeated by Bolton Wanderers and Arsenal, Blackburn went on another good run and by the end of the season they had three more points than main challengers, Everton. It was the first time in Blackburn's history that they had won the Football League title. Top scorers were Wattie Aitkenhead (15) and George Chapman (9).
Edwin Latheron, George Chapman, Wattie Aitkenhead, Walter Anthony: Middle Row:
Albert Walmsley, Percy Smith, Billy Bradshaw, Robert Middleton, Front Row,
Bob Crompton, Alf Robinson and Arthur Cowell.
Blackburn started the 1912-13 season very well and were undefeated until December. This was followed by five successive defeats. In an attempt to regain the championship, Robert Middleton broke the British transfer record by buying Danny Shea from West Ham United for £2,000. Patsy Gallagher, described Shea as "one of the greatest ball artists who has ever played for England... his manipulation of the ball was bewildering."
Robert Middleton also purchased another forward, Joe Hodkinson for £1,000. Shea scored 12 goals but it was not enough and Blackburn finished 5th that season. Edwin Latheron (14), Wattie Aitkenhead (13), George Chapman (10) were the club's other top scorers.
In the 1913-14 season Blackburn once again won the league title. Danny Shea was in great form scoring 27 goals. Chapman kept up his good record by contributing another 9 goals in the league.
The outbreak of the First World War brought an end to George Chapman's football career. In his second spell at Blackburn Rovers he had won two First Division titles and scored 29 goals in 71 games.