Charlie Clapham (football chairman)

Charles Clapham (born 7 August 1946), more commonly known as Charlie Clapham, is the chairman of Southport Football Club, an English football club that plays in the Conference National.

Clapham was born in Accrington and lived there until he was seven years old. His family then relocated to Coventry. He grew up supporting Coventry City and, having been converted by his brother, Manchester United.

In 1978, while working in the West Midlands as a regional sales director, he co-founded Palace Chemicals with three business associates. This saw Clapham following his new venture to Liverpool, eventually moving to nearby Southport in 1981.

In October 1995, the company acquired competitor Langlow Products Limited, incorporating the product line into their portfolio. This was followed up by the acquisition of Houseplan, known for their sealants and adhesives, in September 2000.

He is Managing Director of Palace Chemicals Ltd based in Speke, Merseyside, having completed a management buy-out in 1990.

A little over a year after moving to Southport he made his first visit to Haig Avenue where Southport were at the lowest point in the club's history. Having been voted out of The Football League in 1978, they were languishing in the Northern Premier League with attendances falling and debts spiralling out of control. At this game Clapham was handed a piece of paper as he entered the ground that read:

You might have read we are in trouble but not as much trouble as they are saying we are. If you think you might be able to help come and see the directors after the game

After getting in touch with then chairman Gary Culshaw and vice chairman Barry Hedley, Clapham used his background in business as an attempt to trade the club out of their financial difficulties. After 18 months however Culshaw walked out. In an impromptu board meeting in Hedley's front room Clapham stepped forward as the new chairman of Southport Football Club.

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