 As a schoolboy, Chapman was chosen to attend the Football Association's School of Excellence at Lilleshall Hall.When he made his professional debut for Brighton & Hove Albion away to Birmingham City in February 1987, he became the first former pupil of the school to play in the Football League, in addition to being Brighton's youngest ever peacetime player.He went on to make 281 Football League appearances for the "Seagulls".