Football Boot-studder

Needs research: Details of boot-studder's role (from earliest time and changes with boot technology)

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Many occupations are transformed and often dissappear with changes in technology and social practice.

One fascinating but obscure job if the "boot-studder".

This job entailed ????????????

One boot-studder, Matthew Wilmot Chapman, uncle of current member Graham Chapman, was the boot-studder for the Australian Rules Football Premiership from 1955 onwards.   

Melbourne Football Club, VFL Olympic Year and Australian Premiers 1956.  (A Chapman pictured in third row from front, Third person from left.) Source: Graham Chapman.

Melbourne Football Club, VFL Olympic Year, and Australian Premiers 1956.  (A Chapman pictured in the third row from the front, Third person from the left.) Source: Graham Chapman. 

ALLAN STUDIOS, COLLINGWOOD

BACK ROW –  R. Johnson, K.Melville(Vice Capt.), R.Dowsing, C.Williams, K.Carlon, D.Rattary, A.Webb,

THIRD ROW – H.Phingsthorne,  G. Pierce, M. Chapman, W.K. Scott, W.Adams, H.McPherson, L. Green, F. Fraser, C. Wilson, J. Mc. Laughlin, R. Edwards, L.D. Altera, K. Chalmers, S.A. Brownbill, N.H. King

SECOND ROW – J.C. Loughery, L.S. Millis, G. Pinfold, G.Kerr, G.Case, D.Williams, I. Thorogood, L. Mithen, T. Johnson, G. Mc. Govern. D Cordner, T.Gleeson, T.Mountain, R.Atkinson, P.Marquis, C.Laidlaw, B.Collopy, E.C.H. Taylor, J.P.Mc Grath

FRONT ROW:-- K. Carrol, R. Lane, I. Mc. Lean, I. Ridley, J. Beckwith, B. Dixon, R. Barassi, J.H. Cardwell (Secretary)

A.E. Chadwick(Chairman), N. Smith (Coach), N.Mc. Mahen(Captain), S.Spencer, T. Bull, J. Sandral, F. Adams

ABSENT:-- P.Cook, J.Lord, B.Crameri, P.Tossol, D.Jones

FINAL SCORES: MELBOURNE 17 goals 19 behind 121 points defeated COLLINGWOOD 6 goals 12 behind 48 points – V.F.L. Record

He was born in Main Road (now Doncaster Road), Doncaster (probably the family home on the corner of Frederick St and Doncaster Road. His grandmother Ellen was a witness to the birth. 

SECOND SCHEDULE
BIRTHS in the district of Doneastin in the state. Registered by Edwind J? Symons?
CHILD
(1) No. 1214
(2) When and Where: April 7th 1910; Main Road, Doncaster, County of Burke
(3) Name and Whether Parent or Not: Mathew Willmot? (Not Present)
(4) Sex: Male
FATHER: 
(5)
(1) Name and Surname, Rank or Profession of the father: Alexander Chapman, Builder
(2) Age: 47 years
(3) Birthplace: Templestowe
When and Where Married:  April 28th 1909. Moe, Gippsland
Previous Issue Living and  deceased: (Previous Marriage) September 13th 1885; Templestowe (No issue)
MOTHER
(7)
(1) Name and Maiden Surname of Mother: Clara Ellen Chapman    
(2) Age: 33 Years
(3) Birth Place: Clunes, Victoria
(Column 5 should read 47 yearsE?J?Symons? Registrar 25/4/10
INFORMANT
(8)
Signature, Description and Residence: A Chapman; Father; Main Road, Doncaster
WITNESSES
(9)
1. Nil
2. Mrs. Ellen Smith
3. Mr. H. Hart
REGISTRAR
(10)
When registered and where:  2 th April; Doncaster
(11)
Signature of registrar:  Edwin J Symons
(12)
Name if added after registration of birth: (check mark)

Matthew Chapman: Died 9 August 1977 at Sandringham.

In 1918, he moved his family to Brighton (1918 'DONCASTER NOTES.', Camberwell and Hawthorn Advertiser (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), 15 February, p. 4. , viewed 23 Sep 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article153611223)

He worked at the Sandringham Football Club (VFA).

In 1947, Matthew moved to the Melbourne Football Club with Len Toyne (who had led Sandringham Football Club to the 1946 VFA Premiership as Captain Coach with Matt as his boot studder).

Matt had a shed in his home at Arthur Street, Sandringham, just a good drop kick from Beach Oval where Sandringham played. In the shed he made boot stops out of leather to ensure the players at Sandringham and Melbourne had a firm grip of the ground. In those days, there were lots of muddy and wet grounds in the middle of winter and the players needed good stops.

Matt Chapman appears in the 5 Melbourne football Club Premiership photos from 1955 to 1960. 

Source: Graham Chapman, Kalamunda, personal communication 2022. Graham is the son of  Lindsay Graham Chapman 1918-2005.  Lindsay was Matthew Wilmot Chapman's brother.

Further reading:

• Long-time Tigers' boot-studder dreaming of the big dance
• Football Boot