A landmark photography project
Photography by Nathan Ianos
Mark Chapman is one of the country’s leading sports presenters. He was born in Rochdale in 1973, but spent most of his youth in Sale. His passion for sport developed as a regular spectator with his dad at Altrincham Football Club, Lancashire Cricket ground, Sale F.C Rugby and his beloved Manchester United. He chose the Sale F.C, Heywood Rd Rugby Stadium for his Greater Mancunians photo shoot.
Mark attended Manchester Grammar School in which time developed an interest in radio broadcasting and an ambition to work on Radio 1. After graduating from Hull University, he began his career as a continuity announcer on BBC Television, primarily working on BBC TWO, before becoming the cricket correspondent for BBC North East radio.
5Live from the British Open Golf (Credit/Getty)
He fulfilled his ambition of presenting on Radio 1 working on the Sara Cox show and later with Scott Mills as a sports reporter, where he was affectionately nicknamed Chappers. He joined Radio 5Live to host 5Live Sport in 2010 and has since become the show’s main presenter across the week hosting a range of sports. Subsequently Mark has become the main presenter on Final Score, Match of the Day 2 as well as presenting the network’s Rugby League coverage, The NFL Show and major events including the 2014 World Cup, Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Euro 2016 and the Rio Olympics. Away from live sport he has written and presented a range of documentaries and has written for a range of publications including The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, Four Four Two and Shoot Magazine.
An enthusiastic and regular fund raiser, Mark has taken on numerous sporting challenges for a variety of charitable causes. He lives with his family in Hale, Greater Manchester.
Mark Chapman broadcasting live (Credit/EMPICS)
THE SHOOT: Sale F.C Rugby Club, Manchester
Where Mark was a regular spectator in his formative years
Student reflection: Nathan Ianos
Nathan & Mark
I photographed Mark at Sale F.C Rugby Club’s Heywood Rd Stadium where he was a regular visitor with his dad in his younger years. He then went on to tell us that he celebrated his 21st birthday in the club’s function room. Firstly we took full advantage of the club’s dressing rooms, the rough and ready spaces gave the images of a very honest grass roots vibe. We then moved onto the pitch and the terraces to continue the photography. The humble backdrop for the shoot reflected Mark’s very down to earth personality. He was extremely cooperative and was very supportive of the project. At the end of the session, Mark exclaimed, “That was a real Mancunian photo shoot, I was never asked to smile once.” This was true… but candidly I believe I did manage to capture Mark’s true personality – including more than a few smiles.”