 Chappers is a new contributor to ROTG, though used to read and very occasionally contribute to its previous incarnation. A member of the loose and very unofficial gathering of Northern exiles that is the Leeds Greens, whose flag can often be spotted at away grounds all over the country – when they can remember where it is and to take it in the first place!
Born in Plymouth in September 1973, Chappers is a football anorak and encylopaedia, especially when it comes to grounds and ‘ground bagging’. Currently just 3 or 4 short of ‘doing the 92’ though that in itself isn’t easy when the trap door at the foot of League Two means the target changes on a season-by-season basis. Ardent supporter of Real Ale, micro-brewing and CAMRA, you’ll only see him at a ‘decent’ pub before away games. His glass, like his outlook on life and Argyle, tends to be half empty.
Once appeared, very briefly on Channel 4’s ‘15:1’ quiz and sat down so quickly it looked like a trap door had opened beneath him. Hobbies and interests include music – anything from The Killers, Morrissey and Nick Cave through to all sorts of odds and sods. Still plays football twice a week; if you think of a combination of John Hartson and Mark Viduka but carrying even more timber and with less pace, you’ll get the image of the sort of forward he still kids himself he is. Suspect disciplinary record due to having a tendency to see red occasionally. Handbags at dawn! If not wearing the Green or White of Argyle when playing, chooses from one of 3 international tops – the combination of which surely no-one else owns – those being Saudi Arabia (where he grew-up as a child), Peru (where he has holidayed) or Iceland (where he holidays repeatedly!). When a collar is present, its often ‘up’ as a nod to Cocko! Used to follow England home and abroad before becoming a father with trips to Amsterdam, Bratislava (Slovakia) and Baku (Azerbaijan) providing some fine memories of utter debauchery but equally of the lesser reported good-side of travelling England fans – visiting orphanages and local schools in Baku, for example, will live long in the memory.
Works within ICT, on map-based computer technology for the local Council, though bucks the trend by fully rejecting any humorous ties with cartoon characters on them.
He lives in Leeds with his fantastic partner Cath (who has put up with far more than she should ever have to), their wonderful 2 year old daughter Hattie and a furry old black cat called Freya. Hattie will be donated to Barnardo’s should the words “Leeds” or “United” ever be uttered in close proximity to each other.
Favourite Argyle game – Argyle 6 PNE 4, Argyle 6 Leeds 3 or the 3-2 comeback at Swindon under Luggy. Worst – 7-0 at Brentford was very hard to take. As has been every defeat to Leeds, whilst I live in Leeds……….
Favourite Argyle player – prob Sir Thomas of Tynan or Cocko Worst – where do you start? Peter Swan probably for as much as what he said, as for how little he did.
Favourite ground – Rochdale or (old) Darlington for the memories they give. Worst – Scunny (new) or Burnley. Dreadful places, dreadful grounds and we never get anything. |