Harry Chapman keen to make more FA Cup memories with Bantams

A 6-0 win over Leyton Orient seven years ago remains Sheffield United’s biggest in the world’s oldest cup competition.

Chapman, who turned 19 the day before, helped himself to a second-half treble in only the second start of his Blades loan spell from Middlesbrough.

“My dad’s still got the ball,” he said. “Leyton Orient were a lesser team at the time but we still had to go out and put on a performance.

“A hat-trick is special in any game but it feels a bit more magical being in the FA Cup.”

City are geared up for a sterner challenge in the first round this afternoon against Wycombe from League One. But Chapman, desperate to make up for six months of lost time through injury, can feel the juices flowing.

“I love the FA Cup. It’s an unbelievable trophy and one that everyone in England wants to play in.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play in it and score a few goals, so I’m looking forward to it.

“Wycombe are a good side, we know that, but I think we’ve got the capabilities to put on a good show and win the game.

“It’s a test for us to see where we are footballing-wise against a really good team looking to go up in League One. But I think we’ve got good enough players to put on a performance.”

City might have been rubbing shoulders with Wycombe in the third tier had Chapman not suffered that serious hamstring injury at Swindon in April.

The winger was in good form at the time and former boss Mark Hughes admitted his absence hit them hard in the play-off exit to Carlisle.

Chapman added: “I went to both games. I thought we did really well at our place and deserved to win and then I was in the away end on my crutches at Carlisle.

“It was a difficult game. Their crowd and players were up for it.

“On another day, we don’t concede that late goal, go to penalties and get through to the final.

“It’s tough to say anything or do anything when you’re not involved, whether it’s giving a bit of advice or just trying to boost people.

“I’d just had the operation at the time, so I wasn’t really in the building to offer anything.

“It was difficult to get up and down the stairs without people helping me, so I couldn’t really take my missus or my friends into the changing room for that!

“But it’s in the past and we can’t do anything about it now.”

Harry Chapman sat in with the City fans at the Carlisle play-off (Image: PA)

The present looks far more encouraging for Chapman after coming through 45 minutes against Manchester City under-21s in midweek – his first start of the season.

It has been a long road back but the experience of an even longer absence in 2017, when he was laid up for 10 months at Blackburn, helped Chapman to focus his mind.

“It’s important to settle little goals,” he said. “The first one was getting out the brace, ticked that, and then it was about what I could do in the gym.

“Could I be a bit more progressive and go on the bike? Yeah, tick. Then the next one is going on the grass, tick.

“You just keep setting little targets, you hit them and ultimately end up at the big one.”

Chapman was also grateful for the backing and camaraderie of those around him who kept his spirits up during the long days of rehab.

“It can be a lonely place but the boys and Mark Hughes, when he was here, and everyone at the top have been so supportive.

“I can’t thank them enough. The medical staff have been great.

“I’m almost there now. I played 45 minutes on Tuesday and did a bit of extra training and got through my gym work.

“It’s a fresh start for everyone when a new manager comes in. Everyone hopefully buys into the tactics he’s going to bring so we’re looking forward to another change.”