Northampton Town
Before Chapman’s arrival as manager of Northampton Town, they had finished bottom of the Southern League two seasons in a row. With his new revolutionary tactical ideas and a host of new signings to utilise the system to its fullest—Chapman led Northampton to the league title in the 1908-09 season.
With three impressive top-four finishes over the coming seasons and worthy displays in the FA Cup against first division teams from the Football League, Chapman was desperate to get Northampton into the professional division and compete against the very best.
The Football League was still in its infancy and there was no relegation or promotion system in place that would have allowed Northampton to naturally progress after their Southern League title.
Chapman’s answer to this was a proposal to create a new two-division system called the Football Alliance. It would run underneath the Football League and would allow promotion from the top division of the new Football Alliance into the bottom of the professional Football League.
This would have taken on the identity of the modern four-tier system, which was first implemented in 1921.
On his first attempt, the Football League refused the proposal and Chapman was left to ply his trade in the non-league divisions with Northampton.
Leeds City
In 1912, Chapman got his chance to manage in the professional league when Leeds City asked Northampton Town if they could sign Chapman as their manager.
The Football League system at the time did not include relegation and if a club finished in the bottom three, they had to submit a request to stay in the league. After a 19th-placed finish the season prior, Leeds City were in this situation when Chapman took over and he was instrumental in regaining their status to the league for the next season.
On signing, Chapman promised he would ensure Leeds were promoted to the first division within two seasons.
With an eighth-place finish and 70 goals in his first season in charge, attendances doubled, bringing in considerably larger revenues for the club. In their next season, Leeds City just missed out on promotion in to the first division by just two points.
Despite not fulfilling his promise, the board were extremely happy with the progress of the squad and the newfound support that it brought.
The outbreak of the First World War put an end to Chapman’s promotion hopes. With attendances down and key players away fighting, his team could only manage 15th place.
Once professional football had been suspended, Chapman took up a position as the manager of a munitions factory in Barnbow. With Leeds City now playing in regional competitions and under the guidance of two of the club's directors, they relied on guest appearances to maintain the team.
Once the war had finished, Chapman resumed his position as the club's manager only to suddenly resign in 1918 with no explanation and move to Selby, where he became a superintendent at an oil works.
Leeds City were expelled from the Football League in 1919 due to alleged illegal payments to guest players during the war. The directors of the club, which included Chapman, were given a lifetime ban from the game.
After the expulsion from the Football League, Leeds City as a club was dissolved and their players were sold on. Elland Road was bought by the new club, Leeds United.
We're going to send you the most entertaining Arsenal articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
9 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete