Harry Chapman

Article in the T&A today quoting from an interview Chapman did in April about his future. In it he said he was happy living in the area (Blackburn), because it was a nice place to live. This seems to contradict other interviews where he said the traveling distance had affected his performance at Blackburn. Either way, if he is still living in Blackburn, he's going to have a shorter journey than if he was in Hartlepool (1less for the carpool with Richie and Timi though).

 

Cheers, Mr Head of English

 

Looks like a decent signing, good to see us being seemingly so organised, this pre-season. Best of luck to him.

 

What is wrong with him staying in Bradford for training days an return on match day?

 

Now that is not a high bar!

 

I don't know. Ask him.

 

Well tbh. I expect players to make their own arrangements which best suits both the team and his personal life.

 

Absolutely. Couldn't agree more.

 

Complaining about a couple of hours travelling time as a professional footballer is just too weird for me not to consider this a serious question mark over Chapman.

Why is he complaining about it, and why is he doing it if it's that bad?

I can't wrap my head around this one.

Anyway, let's see what he's like on the pitch for an entire season.

 

I'm with you it's a part of being a pro footballer especially in the lower leagues, you go where the best money is usually and commute if the journey is within reason, back in the days when I started watching it wasn't unusual to see 5/6 local lads playing for their home club, Bruce Stowell, Ian Copper, John Hall, Bruce Bannister, Bobby Ham, Peter Downsbourgh, Joe Cook, Trevor Hockey, David Barstow.

 

This is why I struggled with distance being one of the reasons why Vernam wanted to leave. Sure it's a bonus when your commute is shorter, but a 90 minute drive either way shouldn't be an issue when your actual working day is probably less than 5 hours. If they were putting in a full day's shift like the rest of us, then I could understand it but it's not even like they'll be travelling during rush hour so no sympathy from me I'm afraid. That said, with the cost of fuel as high as it is at the moment, maybe that will be a factor this summer for some players when deciding on their futures.

 

Travelling is a ball ache! I don’t think it matters what profession. If you are in a job you aren’t fully committed to it grinds you down. Especially when stuck on a motorway and its monotonous and dull. I had a 1.5 hour commute each day to work, sometimes longer when the M62 roadworks were on and another half hour when we lived the other side of town, and now look back and think ‘why’?!!!

League 2 players aren’t on million pound salaries either so I fully understand why commuting would be a deciding factor for some players, all other things being equal.

 

I cant be arsed looking, but I would wager Shrewsbury have played above us for longer than we have above them.

 

Maybe Shrews have...... but their ground smells off cow poo!!!

 

How much for a wash & vac!!