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 Full Name: Richard David Chaplow Midfielder
Date of Birth:
2nd
February 1985
Birthplace:
Accrington, Lancashire
Joined
Albion:
31st January 2005 from Burnley for a fee of £1.5 million
Albion
Debut:
19th March 2005, Charlton Athletic,
away, Premier League, as
substitute
Contract Expires:
2006/07 Squad Number:
12 Previous Club: Burnley --- 2001-2005 International Honours: Capped at England Under-19, 20 & 21 (1 Cap) Biography Richard joined Burnley as an eight year old and remained on the club's books as a schoolboy until the summer of 2001 when he was offered a scholarship at Turf Moor. It wasn’t long before Richard started to impress in the Clarets youth team and he was given his reserve team debut as a substitute in an away game at Wolves. The 2002/2003 season was one of highs and lows for the young midfielder. After starting the season well Richard was struck down with glandular fever which put him out of action for a few months. On returning in the New Year he soon regained his fitness and form and he was handed his first team debut towards the end of the season, coming on as a substitute in a 2-0 defeat at Norwich City. His first start came before the season was out, in another 2-0 defeat, at Nottingham Forest. The midfielder signed his first professional contract at the club in 2003 and at the start of the 2003/04 season the Burnley fans saw a new look Richard, the midfielder that had previously been known for the colourful streaks in his hair had returned with no hair due to alopecia said to have been brought on by his early return to action following the glandular fever. Despite this Richard really started to impress and he was voted the Professional Footballers' Association's First Division player of the month for December. Two months later in February 2004 Richard was awarded the fa.com's first-ever Young Lion of the Week award. During that same month Richard made his debut for England Under-21s in their 3-2 victory against Holland in a friendly international at Hull's KC Stadium. Richard came on for West Ham’s Nigel Reo-Coker in the 82nd minute and in doing so became Burnley’s first ever England Under-21 international. Richard has since won further caps with the England under-19 and under-20 sides. In October 2004 at Huddersfield against Holland he helped the under-20 side to a 1-0 victory by scoring the only goal of the game. During his time at Turf Moor Richard made 74 appearances (including appearances as a substitute) and scored 7 goals for the Lancashire club. Life-long Burnley fan Richard moved to The Hawthorns on 31st January 2005 in a £1.5 million deal. The Accrington born star put pen to paper on a three year contract plus another year’s option in the club's favour. Albion boss Bryan Robson, a long time admirer of the midfielder had already seen the Lancashire club turn down two previous Albion bids for the player and was clearly relieved to have finally landed his man: "As a young lad, Richard's got a terrific work rate and a bit of pace about him. He has the confidence to take the ball in any area of the pitch and can create and score goals. The one thing he can improve on is the defensive side of his game - but he can learn that. He's got good a character and is an all-round midfield player. I wouldn't have asked the chairman to pay this kind of money if I didn't think Richard could make the step up to the Premiership. I saw him when he first got into the Burnley team. I had a game of golf with Burnley's former manager, Stan Ternant, and he spoke very highly of him. I took notice of Richard then and he is progressing as a player all the time." Speaking of his decision to move South Richard revealed he was particularly looking forward to working under former England captain Robson: "Bryan Robson was a massive factor in the move," said the England under-21 star. "He was a brilliant player in his time - one of the best ever. To have the chance to work with people like that doesn't come along every day and hopefully the gaffer can push my game on and I'll improve. I've heard a lot about the club from James O'Connor and Brian Jensen. I spoke to them just before I came and they spoke very highly of the place and said it was a good place to be. They're both very committed players and said they'd been treated well here. I also had the opportunity to work with Nigel Pearson with England under-20s three or four months ago. He's a nice man and another factor in my move and why they came in for me. There's been a lot of talk about me moving to Albion and it's just nice to finally be here and have the chance to play in the Premiership," he added. "You have to move on and look forward in your career and hopefully this is the next step. West Bromwich Albion are a big club and hopefully we can get out of this situation. I can only get better by playing with better players like Kanu and Kevin Campbell and seeing what another club runs like. Now I need to work for my shirt, work for my place and try and put in performances that will keep me in the team - I'm looking forward to the challenge." Albion Career Season By Season 2004/05 Richard made his first appearance and scored his first goal in Albion colours in the reserve team’s 3-3 draw away at Manchester City on the 1st March. He obviously impressed the watching coaching staff because five days later he was named as a substitute for the local derby game against Birmingham City at The Hawthorns although he would not be called into action as Albion strolled to an easy 2-0 victory. Richard had to wait almost two months for his first team debut although when it arrived he made an immediate impact. Coming on as an 87th minute substitute at Charlton he won the penalty that allowed Rob Earnshaw to make the score 4-1 and complete his hat-trick. His full debut didn’t arrive until a month later, the away game at Spurs on April 20. Richard impressed everyone and in many people’s eyes was the man of the match as Albion gained a vital point from a 1-1 draw. Richard started the next two games, away at Middlesbrough and at home to Blackburn but his impact was not so great, he was substituted after 63 minutes of the Rovers game and that was to be the last time we saw Richard in first team action for the season. Albion Stats Appearances & Discipline:
Goals:
Appearances and
goals are
correct up to and including v Southampton, Coca-Cola
Championship, away, 12/08/06. |
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