Road Tribute to Record Goalscorer
Mon 28th April 2014 | Maine Road | By Ian Templeman
In their match programme for the game against St Helens Town on Saturday, Maine Road managers past and present paid tribute to the goalscoring record of current Road captain Neil Chappell.
Neil (pictured left) broke the club's all time goalscoring record in Saturday football when he scored his 141st goal for the club in the second leg of the League Challenge Cup semi final against 1874 Northwich, and he rounded off the season in fine style with the second goal in Road's 6-0 win against St Helens on Saturday.
A surging run finished with a cracking shot from outside the box took Neil on to a total of 142 goals for the club, moving him two goals ahead of the previous record holder John Wright.
Maine Road managers past and present have taken a look back at Neil's career.
Secretary Derek Barber, Neil's first manager at the club: "The Saturday before the start of the 2001-2002 season, I was asked to run the Reserve team for the game against Irlam Town.
"On the morning of the match John Wright phoned me to say that one of his drinking mates had a son who would like to come and train with us, so as we had only 12 players I decided to phone the lad up (not for the last time) to see whether he was available. He was, so we met at the Griffin (not for the last time), he arrived late (not for the last time).
"The 15 year old kid came on just after half time and scored a goal (not for the last time), a superb left foot drive from the edge of the box that went in off both posts.
"In the next friendly away at Ashton Town he was sick in the car (not for the last time), and a handful of games in the Reserves were followed by Chappy going missing (not for the last time). It turned out his mum had grounded him for going out drinking (CERTAINLY NOT FOR THE LAST TIME).
"When he returned he became a regular in the Reserves and finished that season by playing in the Reserves cup final. They lost, the team had a drink in the Griffin before they went to a club, but unfortunately Chappy and his mate Mike Denny were too young to go clubbing so they stayed in the Griff with me (CERTAINLY NOT FOR THE LAST TIME).
"At closing time Chappy was bundled into a cab, the driver was given the fare (CERTAINLY NOT FOR THE LAST TIME) and friendships were made that still last today.
"Chris Simms, the first team manager brought Chappy into the team for the last game of the season against champions Kidsgrove Athletic, bringing him on just after half time. The rest everybody knows....."
Chris Simms, the Maine Road manager who gave Neil his first team debut: "When I played/managed Neil, he had a great work ethic and desire about his play. He wasn't the most technically gifted player, in fact I'd never pick him in the 5 a sides.
"You never really wanted him in the build up play, I always preferred him to make runs without the ball, but he had a real skill in his timing. He'd get on the end of crosses and through balls, and was always a threat coming from deep, and defensively he was always sound and very competitive".
Ian Walker, Maine Road manager when Neil scored his 100th goal for the club: "Neil was already established in the NWCFL when I took over as manager. From playing with him I knew of his qualities. He had boundless energy as a teenager and was a proper box to box midfielder.
"He never shirked defensive responsibility but always got into the opposition area, and when in there he was able to score with both left and right foot. He was also brave enough to put his head in where it hurt as his goal scoring record shows.
"He was made captain and it made sense to model a formation around him, to use his qualities as best we could, as midfielders who could get 20 goals a season were and still are like gold dust. So we allowed Neil to play a little further forward so to get more chances more often.
"This worked and during these times Chappy scored a goal every other game and Maine Road became a force in the League and someone all the big spenders feared.
"The goalscoring record drew attention. Lazy managers with money attracted to the thought of goals from midfield to help their promotion pushes came knocking at the door, and numerous times Chappy left to try pastures knew and football at higher levels.
"I say lazy because those managers could not see or were not bold enough to make Chappy the most important person in their team and allow him to get where he could cause the most impact, and they also expected him to be able to pass it to a teammate every now and again - not one of his strengths.
"So their loss was Roads gain and he kept on returning - and scoring goals to the extent that we write this today as he broke a record that will now surely last forever and he can justifiably claim his place as a Maine Road Legend".
Current Maine Road joint-manager Chris Thomas: "When John Morrey and I took over the reins at Road, we looked to make a number of changes in the club's approach. One of those was to identify a new captain and our choice was the talismanic Neil Chappell.
"Although his best years may well be behind him, Chappy's natural leadership, aura in the dressing room and ability to organise a team bonding exercise were characteristics we believed would strengthen our title challenges.
"We are also delighted that Chappie has broken the club goal scoring record under our tenure, although at an alarmingly slowing pace (much like his own game). For a centre midfielder to score the level of goals Chappy has is a superb achievement and a testament to the player".
Derek Barber had the final word: "Besides Chappy's contribution on the pitch, his efforts in the Griffin in raising money for the club have been absolutely outstanding. In one season alone he raised over £1000 by selling name cards for his club.
"On a personal note, even after 14 years of his comings and goings, arguments and trials and tribulations, we remain firm friends. I would like to take this opportunity to wish his new family of Emma and baby daughter Amellia all the best in the future".
Road Tribute to Record Goalscorer
Mon 28th April 2014 | Maine Road
By Ian Templeman
In their match programme for the game against St Helens Town on Saturday, Maine Road managers past and present paid tribute to the goalscoring record of current Road captain Neil Chappell.
Neil (pictured left) broke the club's all time goalscoring record in Saturday football when he scored his 141st goal for the club in the second leg of the League Challenge Cup semi final against 1874 Northwich, and he rounded off the season in fine style with the second goal in Road's 6-0 win against St Helens on Saturday.
A surging run finished with a cracking shot from outside the box took Neil on to a total of 142 goals for the club, moving him two goals ahead of the previous record holder John Wright.
Maine Road managers past and present have taken a look back at Neil's career.
Secretary Derek Barber, Neil's first manager at the club: "The Saturday before the start of the 2001-2002 season, I was asked to run the Reserve team for the game against Irlam Town.
"On the morning of the match John Wright phoned me to say that one of his drinking mates had a son who would like to come and train with us, so as we had only 12 players I decided to phone the lad up (not for the last time) to see whether he was available. He was, so we met at the Griffin (not for the last time), he arrived late (not for the last time).
"The 15 year old kid came on just after half time and scored a goal (not for the last time), a superb left foot drive from the edge of the box that went in off both posts.
"In the next friendly away at Ashton Town he was sick in the car (not for the last time), and a handful of games in the Reserves were followed by Chappy going missing (not for the last time). It turned out his mum had grounded him for going out drinking (CERTAINLY NOT FOR THE LAST TIME).
"When he returned he became a regular in the Reserves and finished that season by playing in the Reserves cup final. They lost, the team had a drink in the Griffin before they went to a club, but unfortunately Chappy and his mate Mike Denny were too young to go clubbing so they stayed in the Griff with me (CERTAINLY NOT FOR THE LAST TIME).
"At closing time Chappy was bundled into a cab, the driver was given the fare (CERTAINLY NOT FOR THE LAST TIME) and friendships were made that still last today.
"Chris Simms, the first team manager brought Chappy into the team for the last game of the season against champions Kidsgrove Athletic, bringing him on just after half time. The rest everybody knows....."
Chris Simms, the Maine Road manager who gave Neil his first team debut: "When I played/managed Neil, he had a great work ethic and desire about his play. He wasn't the most technically gifted player, in fact I'd never pick him in the 5 a sides.
"You never really wanted him in the build up play, I always preferred him to make runs without the ball, but he had a real skill in his timing. He'd get on the end of crosses and through balls, and was always a threat coming from deep, and defensively he was always sound and very competitive".
Ian Walker, Maine Road manager when Neil scored his 100th goal for the club: "Neil was already established in the NWCFL when I took over as manager. From playing with him I knew of his qualities. He had boundless energy as a teenager and was a proper box to box midfielder.
"He never shirked defensive responsibility but always got into the opposition area, and when in there he was able to score with both left and right foot. He was also brave enough to put his head in where it hurt as his goal scoring record shows.
"He was made captain and it made sense to model a formation around him, to use his qualities as best we could, as midfielders who could get 20 goals a season were and still are like gold dust. So we allowed Neil to play a little further forward so to get more chances more often.
"This worked and during these times Chappy scored a goal every other game and Maine Road became a force in the League and someone all the big spenders feared.
"The goalscoring record drew attention. Lazy managers with money attracted to the thought of goals from midfield to help their promotion pushes came knocking at the door, and numerous times Chappy left to try pastures knew and football at higher levels.
"I say lazy because those managers could not see or were not bold enough to make Chappy the most important person in their team and allow him to get where he could cause the most impact, and they also expected him to be able to pass it to a teammate every now and again - not one of his strengths.
"So their loss was Roads gain and he kept on returning - and scoring goals to the extent that we write this today as he broke a record that will now surely last forever and he can justifiably claim his place as a Maine Road Legend".
Current Maine Road joint-manager Chris Thomas: "When John Morrey and I took over the reins at Road, we looked to make a number of changes in the club's approach. One of those was to identify a new captain and our choice was the talismanic Neil Chappell.
"Although his best years may well be behind him, Chappy's natural leadership, aura in the dressing room and ability to organise a team bonding exercise were characteristics we believed would strengthen our title challenges.
"We are also delighted that Chappie has broken the club goal scoring record under our tenure, although at an alarmingly slowing pace (much like his own game). For a centre midfielder to score the level of goals Chappy has is a superb achievement and a testament to the player".
Derek Barber had the final word: "Besides Chappy's contribution on the pitch, his efforts in the Griffin in raising money for the club have been absolutely outstanding. In one season alone he raised over £1000 by selling name cards for his club.
"On a personal note, even after 14 years of his comings and goings, arguments and trials and tribulations, we remain firm friends. I would like to take this opportunity to wish his new family of Emma and baby daughter Amellia all the best in the future".
