Club historian Paul Taylor profiles the career of former Stags' player Sammy Chapman, who died recently.
Born in Belfast, Sammy was a youth player with Manchester United at the time of the famous Busby Babes.
However, he did not settle there and, homesick, he returned to Northern Ireland to play for Genavon and the Shamrock Rovers.
He gained International "B" and also turned out from an Irish FA XI, scoring in both games.
He thus became the first ‘Stag’ to win such honours whilst with the club. Sammy was included In Northern Ireland’s 1958 World Cup squad but was not included in the 17 that travelled to Sweden for the tournament.
He moved on to Portsmouth in February 1958 but returned to Field Mill [now called One Call Stadium] in 1961 and was part of the side which won promotion from Division 4 in 1963.
His playing career was ended in May 1964 by his involvement in the fixed-odds betting scandal. A very popular player, he was a wing half who could score goals, in all competitions for the Stags he scored 42 goals in 169 appearances.
In later years, after his suspension was lifter by the FA, he fulfilled coaching and scouting roles with Wolverhampton Wanderers including two spells as caretaker/manager.
His two sons Cavan and Campbell played both played for Wolves.
He passed away at home aged 81 after a lengthy illness.
The club sends its sincere condolences to Sammy's family at this sad time.
