Burnley X-Files: Saint Chappy!

Former Clarets and current Preston midfielder Richard Chaplow has signed a one-month loan deal at League One Southampton.

Local Accrington-born, Chaplow has in all honesty struggled to make the grade since leaving Burnley in 2005. He must have had high hopes signing for Premier League club, West Brom at the time. He joined West Bromwich Albion for a fee of £1.5million on transfer deadline day in January 2005 agreeing a three-and-a-half year deal, with the option of a further season.

Things did not really work out for him though at the Hawthorns and in February 2006, he spent his first spell at Southampton after George Burley signed him on a three-month loan deal.

On his return, he failed to establish himself in the Baggies first team and in his three years with the club managed just 44 appearances.

In January 2008, Chaplow signed for Championship team Preston North End on a 3 year contract for £800,000 with a further £550,000 payable based on various performance-related criteria.

He initially made an impression with the Preston fans who extolled his virtues but he now seems to have fallen out of favour again.

Chaplow has not made one appearance for Preston's first team this season and has now returned to St Marys for another loan spell. The 25 year old former England Under 21 international becomes new Saints boss, Nigel Adkins' first signing. Adkins only joined the League 1 club on the 12th September this month following the demise of Alan Pardew.

It is thought that if Chaplow is successful the loan spell could be extended.

Richard Chaplow, being a local lad was always though to bleed Claret blood but his move away from Turf Moor has not proved very career-enhancing. It is a shame really!

Maybe his ambitions have got in the way of his heart!

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