Exile Brian Chapman is still the Best of friends with Arbroath FC

A former Angus footballer with a special claim to fame was a welcome weekend visitor at Arbroath FC’s Gayfield Park.

Having journeyed back to the area from Australia, Brian Chapman savoured the Red Lichties’ win over Clyde on the pitch where he once ran out in the same side as Manchester United legend George Best.

The lifelong Arbroath supporter emigrated to Australia over 20 years ago, having played for Arbroath Lads Club, ASC and Forfar Athletic in his early football career.

But the midfielder’s greatest memory came with Arbroath Vics when Best agreed to be part of the club’s centenary side which lined up against Arbroath FC at Gayfield on August 8, 1982.

Mr Chapman lives in Brisbane and the weekend match also brought a reunion with Gayfield assistant manager Stewart Petrie, who he saw in action during a recent playing spell down under.

Mr Chapman’s son Lewis also visited Arbroath last year and enjoyed a tour of Gayfield, but is back home with Brian’s wife Gill and daughter Ria.

The weekend fixture was one highlight in a crammed football trip for the Angus exile, who will return to Australia in early November.