Debut:
27/04/1901 v Chesterfield (Bank Street) 1-0 (League Division Two)
Farewell:
Transferred to Grimsby Town, 03/1903, £
Passed Away:
05/1926
Biography
Mancunian-born Herbert Hugh Lappin began his career with local side Springfield in Fallowfield before hooking up with Oldham Athletic in April 1900. Impressing at both inside and outside-left, he earned a trial with Newton Heath's reserves in January 1901 and a professional contract three months later. Hugh made his debut in the last league game of 1900-01, a 1-0 win over Chesterfield on April 27th. Two days later, he found himself appearing in the Manchester Senior Cup final, which the Heathens lost 0-4 to Manchester City.
In the following campaign, Lappin established himself in the first team despite only netting 3 goals in 21 league outings. He did, however, cover himself in glory in Newton Heath's last ever fixture before the name change to Manchester United - the Manchester Senior Cup final on April 26th, 1902. He scored one of the goals as, this time, rivals City were defeated 2-1.
In general, Lappin got good reviews at Bank Street, both for his speed and mastery, but this was when the Heathens dwelled near the bottom of Division Two. When the club got rich, a higher calibre of player was targeted, and that limited him to just four matches for United in 1902-03. Thus began a nomadic career that saw recurring spells at his subsequent club, Rhyl.
Lappin played for them briefly in April 1903 before playing for Grimsby Town during 1903-04, when his teammate was future United legend, Charlie Roberts. In August 1904, the striker joined Rossendale United, eventually returning to Rhyl in March 1906. Soon he was with Clapton Orient in 1906-07 but, in 1907-08, Hughie - as the Welshmen affectionately dubbed him - enjoyed his third taste of Rhyl.
The next season was spent with Chester, whom he helped to win the Combination title and to reach the Welsh Cup final, where they lost to Wrexham. Hughie was soon on the move again, joining Birmingham City for 1909-10. In the 1910 close season, however, he returned to Rhyl for an incredible fourth stint, this time signing on as player-secretary. Hughie was always welcome in town, his popularity increasing after he saved the Rhyl Record & Advertiser from burning. He had noticed a fire in the paper's offices and quickly rang the alarm bell!
Incidentally, Lappin had a footballing brother, Henry, who made his breakthrough at Clapton Orient when Hughie was there, then played for various local clubs like Hazel Grove, Hurst and Macclesfield. Hubert played for both Newton Heath and Manchester United. Biography kindly provided by Charbel Boujaoude.
