George Chaplin

George was born in Dundee, and had two brothers, one of whom, John, also played for Dundee. George had attracted attention as a player with Dundee Arnott, and once at Dens Park soon established himself in the first team. He also attracted the attention of the Scotland selectors and gained a cap for the match against Wales on the 7^th March 1908, aged 19. A newspaper report of the match said that “he was steady if a little overwhelmed.”

An almost present in the first team for the 1907-1908 season, he was in and out of the team the following season, vying with Oswald, who had returned from injury, for the same position. By the end of October, he made the move to Bradford City, who paid £600. In 1910, he contracted Tuberculosis, which laid him low for two seasons, but he made a full recovery.

Due to his health problems, George was considered unfit for active service during WW1, but instead became a driver in the army at home, and turned out for fundraising charity matches.

As football resumed at the end of the war, George signed for Coventry City who were in the second division, becoming their captain. By the end of the 1919-1920 season Coventry were heading for relegation. Certain investors at the club would lose a lot of money if this happened. As the season wound down to its conclusion Coventry beat Bury (who were mid-table) 2-1, which meant Lincoln were relegated instead. The result caused a lot discussion that would not be hushed up. It took three years before Coventry City were brought before the Football Association to answer questions of bribery. The outcome was that several of the club’s directors, and George Chaplin were banned from football for life, as were some Bury players.

George denied any involvement and went on to become a publican in Coventry. However, eighteen years later, Chaplin finally came forward and admitted that after discussions with Coventry chairman David Cooke, He met a couple of the Bury players privately with ‘£200’ in his pocket and when he left he had a feeling Coventry would gain the points needed for survival. Leading 1-0 one of the Bury players mentioned to Chaplin that it was impossible to lose against such a bad side.

Chaplin remained in Coventry for the rest of his life, and died on 14^th May 1963. He had been a talented footballer, loyal, and hardworking, but the Coventry episode tarnished his reputation forever.