Chapman: My heart told me to quit Seagulls
By Andy Naylor
Comment | Read Comments (4)
Ian Chapman followed his heart by quitting Albion.
The Seagulls stalwart felt resigning his post was the right thing to do following the removal of Dean Wilkins, the manager who brought him back to the club.
The Argus revealed on Tuesday that Chapman had given up his dual role as reserve team boss and first team coach after the demotion of Wilkins and re-appointment of Micky Adams.
Now the long-serving former leftback has broken his silence over the reasons for leaving the club which has been part of his life since a toddler.
Chapman said: "It was a massive decision. I have been watching the club since the age of five, when I used to go with my stepfather.
"Also, there are not loads of jobs out there but sometimes I feel you should follow the heart and do what you feel is right and that is what I have done.
"Dean Wilkins sold me something to come to the club and when that was removed it just didn't feel the same to me. I just felt it wasn't right, so therefore I have decided to move on."
Chapman admits he was shocked by the decision a fortnight ago to relegate Wilkins back to first team coach.
Wilkins has still not given an answer to Albion's offer but it seems increasingly likely that he, like Chapman, will move on.
Adams tried to persuade Chapman to stay but he felt a sense of loyalty to Wilkins and discomfort with the backroom upheaval.
"I thought we had a good season coming seventh, just one place out of the play-offs," Chapman said. "I know these things happen and there are no gripes with anyone.
"I spoke to Micky. I've known him over the years from when he was here before. When I've seen him I've had a beer with him and he's a nice bloke.
"He asked me to stay but I had made my mind up to move on. He didn't push me out of the door, no way. There was a job there for me but I just felt it wasn't for me."
Chapman is philosophical about lasting less than two full seasons in the backroom team after playing for Albion from 1986 to 1996.
The father-of-three, based in Woodingdean, is not the type to bear grudges and wants the Seagulls to fly high with Adams in his absence.
"He said: "In football it is about people's opinions and things change all the time. We did okay but you move on.
"I am disappointed, not with any people, but purely that we finished 18th the first season, were seventh this season and I felt we were improving.
"The disappointment is that the same set of backroom staff do not have that opportunity to take the club on but I have been in football long enough to know that is just the way it goes.
"Being a fan of the club, I am hoping the side does well. There is no animosity towards anyone. I really do hope that in two years time when the stadium is built the side will be playing in the Championship and eventually the Premier League. It is just over the hill and I will be able to take my kids along."
Chapman has left on amicable terms. A financial settlement gives him a bit of breathing space to consider his options.
He was manager of Whitehawk before Wilkins enlisted his help, initially on a part-time basis and then full-time since last summer.
The Sussex non-league circuit is probably where his immediate future lies and the phone has already been hot with offers and messages of support.
"I am going to have a month off now and go on holiday with the family," Chapman said. "I will be looking to get back into football.
"I've done the non-league stuff before and totally enjoyed it. Being realistic, that is more than likely at the moment the level I will return at.
"People out there know now I am available, so I will hopefully get some offers. I've already had a couple of phone calls to do bits of coaching.
"I'll sit down next month, have a think about things and go from there. My title at Albion has been reserve manager but I have also been first team coach because there wasn't one at the club.
"I have enjoyed both roles and I am quite happy either way but eventually I would like to be my own man, a manager somewhere again, because it's nice being in charge of everything."
Are you sad to see Ian Chapman go?
By Andy Naylor
Comment | Read Comments (4)
Ian Chapman followed his heart by quitting Albion.
The Seagulls stalwart felt resigning his post was the right thing to do following the removal of Dean Wilkins, the manager who brought him back to the club.
The Argus revealed on Tuesday that Chapman had given up his dual role as reserve team boss and first team coach after the demotion of Wilkins and re-appointment of Micky Adams.
Now the long-serving former leftback has broken his silence over the reasons for leaving the club which has been part of his life since a toddler.
Chapman said: "It was a massive decision. I have been watching the club since the age of five, when I used to go with my stepfather.
"Also, there are not loads of jobs out there but sometimes I feel you should follow the heart and do what you feel is right and that is what I have done.
"Dean Wilkins sold me something to come to the club and when that was removed it just didn't feel the same to me. I just felt it wasn't right, so therefore I have decided to move on."
Chapman admits he was shocked by the decision a fortnight ago to relegate Wilkins back to first team coach.
Wilkins has still not given an answer to Albion's offer but it seems increasingly likely that he, like Chapman, will move on.
Adams tried to persuade Chapman to stay but he felt a sense of loyalty to Wilkins and discomfort with the backroom upheaval.
"I thought we had a good season coming seventh, just one place out of the play-offs," Chapman said. "I know these things happen and there are no gripes with anyone.
"I spoke to Micky. I've known him over the years from when he was here before. When I've seen him I've had a beer with him and he's a nice bloke.
"He asked me to stay but I had made my mind up to move on. He didn't push me out of the door, no way. There was a job there for me but I just felt it wasn't for me."
Chapman is philosophical about lasting less than two full seasons in the backroom team after playing for Albion from 1986 to 1996.
The father-of-three, based in Woodingdean, is not the type to bear grudges and wants the Seagulls to fly high with Adams in his absence.
"He said: "In football it is about people's opinions and things change all the time. We did okay but you move on.
"I am disappointed, not with any people, but purely that we finished 18th the first season, were seventh this season and I felt we were improving.
"The disappointment is that the same set of backroom staff do not have that opportunity to take the club on but I have been in football long enough to know that is just the way it goes.
"Being a fan of the club, I am hoping the side does well. There is no animosity towards anyone. I really do hope that in two years time when the stadium is built the side will be playing in the Championship and eventually the Premier League. It is just over the hill and I will be able to take my kids along."
Chapman has left on amicable terms. A financial settlement gives him a bit of breathing space to consider his options.
He was manager of Whitehawk before Wilkins enlisted his help, initially on a part-time basis and then full-time since last summer.
The Sussex non-league circuit is probably where his immediate future lies and the phone has already been hot with offers and messages of support.
"I am going to have a month off now and go on holiday with the family," Chapman said. "I will be looking to get back into football.
"I've done the non-league stuff before and totally enjoyed it. Being realistic, that is more than likely at the moment the level I will return at.
"People out there know now I am available, so I will hopefully get some offers. I've already had a couple of phone calls to do bits of coaching.
"I'll sit down next month, have a think about things and go from there. My title at Albion has been reserve manager but I have also been first team coach because there wasn't one at the club.
"I have enjoyed both roles and I am quite happy either way but eventually I would like to be my own man, a manager somewhere again, because it's nice being in charge of everything."
Are you sad to see Ian Chapman go?
