Rick’s journey with the club started back in 2011, where he joined our Academy set up, as an under 12s coach. After spending four years in the Youth Development Phase, he took the step to Under 18s level as a different test awaited.

In Season 2015/16, Airbus recorded 8 players making their appearances in the Development squad, four players making appearance for the Senior team with one signing a professional contract and two players being recognised internationally as they were part of the Wales Academy Youth squad.

A year later he was given the role of leading the professional development phase as he took charge of the under 19s, where he took on a pivotal role of working with the players that could possibly break into the First Team. This role was a coaching role Chappers took on for 5 years.

During his time within the Under 19s, Chappers saw many players maker their breakthrough into the First Team, these players included Oli Lanceley, George Peers, Kaiden Cooke, Tyler McManus and Sam Fenney.

Alongside his role at Airbus, he was part of the coaching staff at Chester FC, where he worked alongside Jon McCarthy as he took on experience working in a National League environment.

With an academy and club re-structure, Chappers was appointed head of football development in 2022, where his role led to him expanding his football knowledge in the Welsh System. In 2023, he was appointed the lead of Football Education at League one side Stockport County where he has continued to develop over the last three years.

In 2021, he joined the First team set up at Airbus under manager Steve O’Shaughnessy, and that ended with promotion to the Cymru Premier. Season 2021/22, Airbus were crowned champions as they fended off Llandudno to secure the promotion with 72 points, winning 23 games, drawing 3 and only losing 2 games. Their return to the Cymru Premier didn’t go to plan as they were relegated the following season.

2023, there was a change in management and current manager Mark Allen was appointed the manager of Airbus and his first point of call was to appoint Chapman as his assistant. In their opening Season together, Airbus finished third in the JD Cymru North behind fellow champions Holywell Town and Flint Town who finished second.

The following season was very successful for Allen and Chapman. Airbus pushed eventual winners of the JD Cymru North Colwyn Bay to the last game of the season as they finished 3 points behind the champions. There was also cup elation, as Airbus were winners of the National and Northern Welsh Blood Cups. The WingMakers beat Bangor 1876 in the Northern Final with a 2-1 win, and they become National champions with a 3-2 win over JD Cymru South side Trefelin. Airbus were not finished there for the Season as they went on to beat Holywell Town 4-0 in the final of the NEWFA Challenge Cup.

Season 2025/26, there was a change in the format of the JD Cymru North as it gave three spaces available for promotion and after coming runners-up last season, Airbus were hungry this season. They unfortunately lost out on becoming Champions, but they secured their place in the JD Cymru Premier, as they secured promotion with 75 points. Mark and Chappers set their targets for the Season, and they looked to retain the cups they won the previous season, and they did just that by beating Treowen Stars FC in the Welsh Blood National Final and beating Holywell Town 4-1 to remain holders of the NEWFA Challenge Cup.

We would like to thank Chappers for the last 15 years he has committed to Airbus, from developing the future players, to winning trophies and securing promotion with the First team. He is a big character that will be missed around the club, and we would like to wish him all the best in the next chapter of his footballing journey.