John Chapman

Who was John Chapman?

John Chapman was an English first class cricketer who played for Derbyshire between 1909 and 1920, and captained the side from 1910 to 1912 and in 1920.

Chapman was born at Frocester, Gloucestershire, the son of Charles Chapman a farmer. He was educated at Uppingham School and in 1899 was playing club cricket for the Incogniti. He also played for Sheffield Collegiate and Barnsley and captained the Yorkshire second team. He joined Derbyshire in the 1909 season, making his debut against Warwickshire when he was not out at the end of a drawn match. He played a full season and in his second match against Warwickshire made his top score of 198. In 1910 he was appointed captain and, again against Warwickshire, he made 165 while putting on 283 for the ninth wicket with Arnold Warren. In 2012 this remained the world record for a ninth-wicket partnership in first-class cricket. Chapman was captain of Derbyshire again in 1911 and 1912. He achieved a batting average of over 30 in the 1911 season, but this was down to 8 in the 1912 Season. He played regularly in the 1913 and 1914 seasons, and also after World War I in 1919.

Chapman took the captaincy again for the disastrous 1920 season, when Derbyshire failed to win a match and he gave up county cricket at the end of the season.