Richard Chaplow

Richard David Chaplow (born 2 February 1985 in Accrington, Lancashire) is an England professional footballer. He currently plays for Preston North End F.C..

Career

Club career

Chaplow joined Burnley at the age of eighteen, before earning a scholarship at the club in in 2001. In 2002-03 in English football, part of his season in the reserves was blighted by glandular fever, although he returned to action in January. Chaplow broke into the Burnley first team at the end of that season, making his début as a substitute in a 2-0 defeat at Norwich City F.C.. His first start came later in the season in another 2-0 defeat, at Nottingham Forest. Chaplow suffered from alopecia during 2003, returning to pre-season training having lost all his hair. Chaplow made his Albion debut in a 4-1 victory over Charlton Athletic F.C. at The Valley (stadium) on 19 March, 2005. He won a penalty soon after coming on as a late substitute, enabling Robert Earnshaw to complete his hat-trick from the spot. Chaplow's first goals for West Brom came in an FA Cup 3rd round replay at Reading F.C. on 17 January, 2006. His two first-half goals gave Albion a 2-0 lead, but they eventually lost 3-2 in extra-time.

In February 2006, Chaplow signed a three-month loan deal with Football League Championship side Southampton F.C., as part of the deal which saw Nigel Quashie move the other way. He scored his only Saints goal at Brighton on 8 April 2006.

On 9 January 2008, Chaplow signed for Football League Championship team Preston North End F.C. on a 3 year contract for £800,000 with a further £550,000 payable based on various performance-related criteria. West Bromwich Albion F.C. have also inserted a 20% sell-on clause on any future sale.

On the 8 September 2008 Chaplow won the powerade championship player of the month.

International career

Chaplow has represented England at England national under-19 football team, England national under-20 football team and England national under-21 football team levels. He became Burnley's first first-ever England under-21 international in February 2004, when he came off the bench on his debut against Netherlands national football team at the KC Stadium.