Everyone at Port Vale Football Club is saddened to hear of the death of former Vale midfielder, Stuart Chapman, who passed away aged 71.
Born in Lynemouth, Northumberland in May 1951, ‘Shack’ as he was always known, joined the Vale in June 1966 as part of Sir Stanley Matthews’ youth policy, alongside other north eastern lads including future Arsenal and Liverpool star Ray Kennedy. Despite only being aged 15 he was a member of the team that reached the quarter finals of the FA Youth Cup in the 1966/67 season.
He made his first team debut v Lincoln City three days short of his 16th birthday and is still the second youngest Vale player to appear in the Football League.
He appeared 3 times in the 1969/70 promotion campaign but was given a free transfer in May 1970 after 11 appearances altogether. He then had 14 years with Stafford Rangers, winning the FA Trophy twice at Wembley.
He had a year at Macclesfield Town in 1984/85, where he ended up playing against the Vale in the FA Cup, before ending his playing days as player manager of Rocester.
He was a member of the Vale’s ex-players association and often came to functions.
His funeral will be held on 3 August at 3pm at his wife Vicky’s insistence, being the time that football kicks off.
RIP.