Ian Chapman, from the south

[Stat Brother]

I remember Chappers having a future Albion legend in his pocket on the night of 'Goldstone to Golden Balls'.

An absolute masterclass in positional dominance.

 

[Justice]

Seeing as Chapman had just become Albion's yougest-ever debutant in the Football League, I should think he would have every right, and indeed would be expected to, bleet [sic] on about his age.

Ok precious.

 

[drew]

First player from the English School of Excellence to make his league debut. Think his first touch was to clear off the line.

Didn't he fail to clear and ball went in off him for an own goal?

 

[Ecosse Exile]

I know that's true 100%, because he said it to me! We were in a club after REMF 1 (which I incidentally scored twice in) and he bought me and a couple of the other players a drink for beating Palace, before telling us that very line.

Thanks for the confirmation, one of my favourite stories about any Brighton player. Legend IMO.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I'd go along with that although I thought he was 16 when he made his debut?

He was 16. Albion's youngest ever first team player at the time. Maybe he still is.

 

[Saladpack Seagull]

I know that's true 100%, because he said it to me! We were in a club after REMF 1 (which I incidentally scored twice in) and he bought me and a couple of the other players a drink for beating Palace, before telling us that very line.

I heard he prefaced that quote by saying "I'm a Brighton boy from Whitehawk and....etc..." The man is an absolute LEGEND.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I heard he prefaced that quote by saying "I'm a Brighton boy from Whitehawk and....etc..." The man is an absolute LEGEND.

Indeed he did. Loves the Albion, hates Palace

 

[hans kraay fan club]

He was 16. Albion's youngest ever first team player at the time. Maybe he still is.

Jake Forster-Caskey, no?

 

[Saladpack Seagull]

Indeed he did. Loves the Albion, hates Palace

Thanks for your input to this thread - it's nice to get some first-hand confirmation of the quote as I've used it countless times to illustrate both IC's pride in his roots and what it means to support the Albion. My Albion-supporting daughter (now 21) has heard it so often she can quote it verbatim !

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Jake Forster-Caskey, no?

Did Tilley take that accolade when he came for 30 seconds at Boro?

 

[Herne Hill Seagull]

For the reasons given here, my favourite Albion player of all time. Vicente may have been the best player, Calde hugely admired, Zamora/Ward the best goalscorers, etc etc, but Chappers was possibly the only Brighton player in my lifetime who's felt the same way the fans do. I don't expect players to feel like the fans do - it's their living, not necessarily their passion - but for him, there was both.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Thanks for your input to this thread - it's nice to get some first-hand confirmation of the quote as I've used it countless times to illustrate both IC's pride in his roots and what it means to support the Albion. My Albion-supporting daughter (now 21) has heard it so often she can quote it verbatim !

Glad that conversation has gone into Albion folklore!

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Did Tilley take that accolade when he came for 30 seconds at Boro?

Maybe.

Edit after quick google...

No. JFC 'much' younger.

JFC born 25.04.94, debut (H v Yeovil) 08.05.10, was just 16 years and 14 days old.

Tilley born 13.06.98, debut (A v Boro) 24.05.15. was 16 years and 345 days old. By coincidence, when he came on that day, it was in place of Forster-Caskey.

 

[BNthree]

Jake Forster-Caskey, no?

Visited the club museum at the weekend and it says Jake was the youngest to ever play for the team on the wall there.

 

[Braggfan]

Think he was 28.

Will never forget his thunderbolt in the 3-3 v Bournemouth at home.

The northstand cried shoot in unison, he did, and it flew in to the top corner.

He had a weird habit of scoring absolute belters against Bournemouth. But that one was the best.

 

[Bigtomfu]

He had a weird habit of scoring absolute belters against Bournemouth. But that one was the best.

Wish there was some footage of this somewhere.

 

[Braggfan]

Wish there was some footage of this somewhere.

He scored a goal at Dean Court once where he lobbed the keeper from miles out with a Beckham/Sidwell style goal. I hope that exists somewhere. I also have a feeling he took a touch to the control the ball before hitting a half volley stunner on the turn against them. And then obviously his belter that you mention in the North Stand. Seriously amazing goals, and weird that he always produced them against Bournemouth.