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Lee Chapman was a classic brave centre-forward for Leeds,
Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and several other clubs. His
early promise at Stoke included a hat-trick scored at Elland Road,
and brought him national attention, but his arrival at Arsenal
coincided with a period of intense factionalism within the club and
the dismissal of Terry Neill and Chapman had a far from happy time
at Highbury. Another move to Sunderland to link up with former
Stoke boss Alan Durban turned sour when he too was sacked. He
finally struck it lucky with his next move, linking up with Wilko
at Sheffield Wednesday - the long ball game suiting the big striker
down to the ground.
Wednesday's lack of ambition was starting to drive both players
and manager away, and Chapman left the club shortly before Wilko
moved up the M1 to Leeds. A move to Forest looked likely, but he
ended up in the middle of France, playing for Niort, a club whose
finances were shaky to say the least. After a short while, it
became clear how much of a basket case the club was and Lee was
back in England with Forest.
Chapman was re-signed by Wilko halfway through the 1989-90
season, and his 12 goals helped make the difference between going
up as champions instead of getting into the play-offs. His obvious
contributions to the side that won the Championship in 1992 can't
be overstated, and he finished as leading scorer each year before
finally leaving the club in 1993. He did return to Leeds for a
brief spell on loan, playing against West Ham and Liverpool in
January 1996 - but that wasn't a totally happy comeback since he
was red-carded by a cross-eyed ref who thought that he had
deliberately aimed an elbow at a West Ham player as both men went
for a 50-50 ball.
Now retired from the game, he is an occasional summariser on the
TV and owns several successful clubs and restaurants in partnership
with his wife, actress Leslie Ash.
Jabba says: Cheers to Ralph of Pride of Anglia for the
photos.
Deni Marice says: He was a great player. I saw him when in Leeds
90/93 and I think he's good in the air and the shot is not too bad.
As a tall player his speed is not too fast but his instinct as a
striker is good.
Brian Durrant from The
Sick Parrot says: When Ipswich bought Lee Chapman, we were
quite optimistic as he had played some fine games against us in the
past. However he was now somewhat injury-prone and even when fit,
was nothing like the striker he had been at Leeds.
Tore Markussen says: The most brilliant I've ever seen Lee do,
was taking down a high ball. It came from the center line.....far
out to the left. He was standing on the 16m with his back to the
goal. 4 defenders were also on a line outside the penalty area. He
turned to his left with the ball dead on his foot...gently he swung
the ball towards the goal....he was now on the 11m mark...the
defenders didnt know what hit em..and all of em were standing
still...he hammered it in the goal.... It was an awsome goal...I
can still see it in my head. WORLD CLASS!
Dave says: Lee Chapman, like Brian Deane, must be one of the
most under-rated players of the modern era. Never mind this fancy
'keep the ball on the ground stuff', if you've got players who are
good in the air, play to their stengths. I used to see Lee play at
Stoke and it was obvious he was eventually going to grace a top
team - he did that at Leeds.
Jan Egil from OSLO, Norway says: Every Leeds fan should love
this guy and what he did for the club. If you haven't seen him buy
yourself a video tape of him. A true GOALSCORER.
Jono says: Lee Chapman is without doubt the best centre forward
ive ever seen at Elland road ive had a season ticket since 88 and
would still have chappy in my team now if he was still playing it
was the best day of my life when we brought him back on loan but
that went sour due to a poor refereeing decision against West ham
thanks chappy WE ARE LEEDS
Elisabeth Craig says: Is Lee Chapman the son of Tony and Rita
Chapman and brother of Nicky? If he is we knew him as a younngster
in Cape Town where his Dad was playing alongside my husband and
George Eastham. If it is the same Lee Chapman he will remember my
Labrador, Katie. Jabba says: his dad was called Roy, so I guess it
must be a different one!
Mike says: Just listeninig to Lee Chapman on Century FM. Sounds
a thoroughly decent and well-balanced bloke, and he was indeed a
top player in his time.
anon says: My dad dd not believe that lee played for
leeds!!!!!!
graham heraty says: what i do for a player lke this to be
playing on sat against arsenal. this is a true goalscorer and i
dont no why he never played for england full team
Jacqueline says: Did Lee Chapman score the first English
Premiership hat-trick? Jabba says: nope - Eric Cantona was
certainly the first Leeds player to net a hat-trick in the
Premiership on August 25 of the first season in the home game
against Spurs.
Knut Fjellby says: A fantastic player. Almost as good as Svein
Teigland.
Niall says: Lee played out his career as a favour to Jan Molby
at Swansea, then a fast-sinking 2nd side side in 1995/6. He gave a
good return in a limited amount of end-seasons games, playing up
front alongside Steve Torpey (now at Scunthorpe). A particular
memory was Lee getting a goal at Wycombe and turning away to blow a
kiss to his wife Lesley Ash, who was sitting in the stand. No
pretensions about him, top bloke.
Nattawan says: He sent me 2 letters (one with his pic)in 1993
and 1994 . What a wonderful thing . I live in Thailand and he was
in Leeds and Westham . I really want to know his current address or
email address so that I can write him a letter to tell him that how
I am . I have not wriiten him for nearly 10 years .
Fred A says: Saw Lee play at for Leeds at Forest for Wilko's
newly promoted Leeds, last game of the season. A cracker of a
match, one of the most entertaining that I've ever been to: even
though we lost 4-3 to an excellent Forest side, 2-0 down with only
15 minutes gone. The significant thing is that the Forest
supporters were really giving Chapman some stick as a former
player. He responded with 2 goals including his 200th career goal.
Whilst probably not the most bewitching of players to watch, he did
score some superb goals and his bravery and commitment to the cause
were never in doubt: undeservedly the subject of derision simply
for playing to his strengths and doing that to great effect for
Leeds. A true Leeds legend.
James Akinfenwa says: Saw him on TV....he was simply
marvelous!
Daryl Andrews says: he was terrible! i fink he was 1 of the most
overated players ever 2 play in english football, he couldnt turn
and even 4 a big lummox he was pretty poor in the air! His passing
wasnt particularly good neither was his shot accuracy. on the whole
i think he is nothing more than a lanky streak of p***!
Doc says: Was thinking about going to Chappo's new restaurant. I
hear they have cracking ribs...
hrs says: I often watched Lee Chapman during his time at Stoke.
He was an important part of one of the better Stoke teams of the
last 30 years, and formed an excellent partnership up front with
Adrian Heath, who went to Everton. It was Stoke's loss when he
went.
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