Getting in first team was just so crazy

A framed picture of the smiling Clarets midfielder in his early Turf Moor years, hardly recognisable with a shock of spiky hair, sits proudly on view.

But you have to delve deeper to uncover more pictorial evidence of the Accrington-born teenager's spectacular rise in stature. Much deeper.

It took the 19-year-old around half-an-hour to search out old photographs and newspaper cuttings - and even then it took telephone calls to mum and dad to finally home in on the treasure trove.

Naturally, Richard's signed England shirt was for more accessible. But hey, it sure beats having your football heroes pinned to the bedroom wall!

Chaplow is the epitome of modesty, insisting he still has everything to achieve in the game despite international honours and growing domestic acclaim.

So it was a genuine shock when his first big moment finally arrived.

"In the reserves, I was in the centre of a midfield five and probably playing the best football since I signed.

"There were a few injuries and the youth team coach, Terry Pashley, told me I might have a chance of making the first team if I kept going.

"One day, I arrived for training and marked out the pitches and put the nets up as usual. I was on my way back and Mick (Docherty) and Ronnie (Jepson) told me I might want to have a glance at the team sheets."

Chaplow was in the squad to face Watford at Turf Moor in April 2003, but in retrospect is probably happy he didn't make the bench in a shocking 7-4 home defeat.

"The next game, against Preston, I made the bench and then in the next game, at Norwich, I got on. It was a crazy, crazy time.

"I knew it had been a while since any young player had broken through at Burnley. Paul Weller was probably the last and when Stan Ternent first arrived as manager it was clear he liked experienced players.

"That was the nature of the beast because he needed to turn things around before he could think about putting any young players in.

"So it was strange to finally find myself sat alongside players and coaches who I was giving cheek to just a few months earlier."

Training ground banter is gold dust to managers and players alike, helping to boost morale and instil a team spirit and camaraderie that can carry sides along on the crest of a wave.

And Chaplow's impish looks and cocky swagger often proved an irresistible magnet to members of the first team squad.

"If anyone in the first team wanted some banter, they used to get me to shout something and I would always be stupid enough to do it," laughed the teenage terror.

"I remember Kevin Ball coming up once and threatening to rip my ears off. He had missed a penalty in the Isle of Man and Ronnie got me to ask Bally how the trip went.

"I can't repeat what he said, but whenever he gives me stick about anything now I tell him my England cap would fit him nicely - since he never got one!"

Bravery can clearly be added to Chaplow's growing list of attributes!

However, Ternent was less amused by Chaplow's cutting remarks, even though the manager clearly had a soft spot for his protege.

"The gaffer always seemed to be around and I was constantly getting called into his office at the training ground for being cheeky," recalled Chaplow.

"There were times when my name was the only one echoing around the corridors.

"For a kid he was a little intimidating, but in fairness he has always been good to me. He arrived with a reputation, but he is brilliant and has done everything for me.

"He was always pulling players out of training to check if you were okay. He came in the treatment room to check on you if you were injured and his office door was always open if you had any troubles.

"I never needed that, but I appreciated the gesture because it gave you a feeling of security and feeling wanted."

The feeling is now entirely mutual. Chaplow eventually made his full Burnley debut at Nottingham Forest on Easter Monday 2003 and has since made over 50 appearances for the first team.

Last season saw a blistering start to the season earn him a first professional contract, tying him to the Clarets until 2006.

"I started five or six games and I thought I might get one at the end of the season," he revealed.

"Back then my money was £90 a week, playing in the first team, which wasn't very good at all."

Payback has come in the form of five goals in his first full campaign, an England Under 19 cap and the the honour of becoming the first Burnley player in history to earn international recognition at Under 21 level.

"Along with making my debut, that is right up there as the highlight. "A few people were saying I wasn't ready, but I don't know how they could say that because I was playing regularly in the First Division.

"A lot of the lads in the England U19 side, where I was first called up before being promoted to the U21s, were still playing reserve team football.

"When I look back it's been a strange ride, but it's obviously real and I couldn't wish for anything more.

"I would rather things happen quickly and I wouldn't change a thing.

"When you look at how many kids make it compared to how many don't, you realise how lucky you are.

"Coaches used to gather all the young lads together and say 'there is a chance none of you will make it'.

"I used to think 'my God, what a job I've got in front of me', so it's nice to get there - a lovely feeling."

CHAPLOW ON...

...HAIR

I contracted glandular fever last summer and ended up getting alopecia. I still get quite a lot of ulcers because I don't think I'm fully recovered. Last pre-season, I remember there was an open day at Turf Moor where the fans didn't have a clue who I was.

It could grow back - I still don't know. It does grow back a little wispy, so I just choose to keep it short.

But I like it now. I think people recognise me because I stand out. It took a while to get used to and I find it does sometimes attract attention.

That is a little strange, but it comes with the territory and it's what you want deep down so I can't complain.

I still go out with my friends and socialise. I've been out round Blackburn a few times and they have been great.

They admit they don't like Burnley, but they don't mind a local lad doing well. In Burnley it's different - there I just get drinks bought!

...ENGLAND

It's an amazing experience. You get picked up in a Mercedes and driven everywhere. The hotels are top class, the food is good and your hotel room is full of glucose sweets to get your levels back up - absolutely nothing is left to chance.

Whatever we wanted, all we had to do was ask. I had just played a game the day before joining the Under 21s, so I had ten rubs that first day!

It was certainly an eye opener and something you could easily get used to!

I knew I was not going to get much of a chance in the game, against Holland. But the manager, David Platt, told me he was going to put me on because he had pulled me out of the Under 19s and he felt it was only fair.

I was sat there looking at my watch and I don't mind admitting I was hoping the player in my position picked up an injury. Thankfully, I got on and it's a night I'll never forget.

...PREVIOUS MANAGERS

I got introduced to Adrian Heath as a kid and he shook my hand and told me to keep progressing.

Then he left and Chris Waddle arrived and we never used to even see him.

I think I saw him once at the School of Excellence and he just wandered around with a mobile phone glued to his ear, then walked straight across the middle of the pitch during a training session, kicked the ball into the net and then walked off. We never saw him again.