CHAPPERS trate on the game. Tommy Johnson ran riot... and the rest is history as they say. Albion, still playing in that kit the following season, were relegated. Whilst County went on to become founder members of the Premiership. Key players left, not because we had to balance the books. But because they wanted out from having to play in the polyester chewit wrapper. It was a horrible horrible moment for the club. Every bit as bad as selling the Goldstone, which has only taken 14 years to recover from. It’s taken 2 decades to recover from that kit. And you can still find it on Google. It’ll haunt the club for a long time yet I’m afraid.”) TSLR: Why did you let your gorgeous wife have that infamous plastic “trout pout” surgery and how is the restaurant trade going? IC: You’ve got me mixed up, my wife is the famous Tracey Chapman but we haven’t got a fast car. TSLR: Best game? IC: I wasn’t playing at the club at the time, but staying in the league was massive so Hereford away. TSLR: How close were you to re-signing after your trial with the club in 1999? IC: Jeff Wood said he wanted me and I was desperate to comeback, but unfortunately my knee wouldn’t allow it. TSLR: Thoughts on Bellotti and Archer? IC: I think I’ll keep that to myself, I do think they would have made good Barclay’s Bankers. TSLR: Some bloke came to a contributor’s door trying to buy antiques; he said he was related to Ian Chapman. Is this true?
IC: Not true. TSLR: What happened when you came back to the club on the coaching staff with Deano? IC: Loved being back. Wish it could have lasted longer, but now delighted the club have the right people in control. TSLR: What were the first things Dean Wilkins said to you after being told he was to be replaced by Micky Adams? IC: Very disappointed. He wanted to take the club forward like the current regime and he thought with a bit of backing we could have. TSLR: After you left Micky said “Ian felt uncomfortable with the whole scenario which is understandable” - is uncomfortable an understatement? IC: I don’t dislike Micky, but felt after coming 7th we should have had the opportunity to add to what was a young squad. TSLR: Do you still speak to Deano now? IC: Yes all the time. Last season he told me after seeing Brighton play that we would win the league easy. True. TSLR: How good was, and how was it to play alongside, a contributor’s first Albion hero Junior McDougald? IC: Great and great. TSLR: Are you looking forward to Falmer? IC: Big-time. Not been yet. LOOKS INCREDIBLE - BIT BETTER THAN SELHURST PARK!!! TSLR: What is your favourite biscuit? IC: Jammie dodger. TSLR TSLR031