 He was born in Crook, beginning his cricket career as a junior with his hometown club, Crook Town CC.Chapman appeared in his debut first-class match during the 1998 season, in which he bowled conservatively in spite of his team's poor form, which saw them lose the match by an innings margin.Chapman made two further first-class appearances the following season, though he was released at the end of 1999 after making his final Second XI appearance against Worcestershire Second XI, in which team-mate Quentin Hughes scored a double-century and Chapman himself took match bowling figures of 12 for 48, a County Second XI record.