Antony Chapman – Bringing Grimsby’s Story Home
Antony Chapman – Bringing Grimsby’s Story Home
When people leave their hometown, they often carry a piece of it with them wherever they go. For Antony Chapman, Grimsby isn’t just a place on the map – it’s where his story began, and it continues to shape who he is today.
Antony is now a proud member of the Home Wins team, a growing network of people who no longer live locally but still care deeply about Grimsby, Cleethorpes and North East Lincolnshire.
The group exists to connect those who’ve “gone away”, with the future of their hometown, creating opportunities to give back, share knowledge, and inspire the next generation. “Grimsby is in my DNA,” Antony reflects. “No matter where I’ve gone, it’s always been part of my identity. The place, the people, the experiences – they’ve shaped the way I see the world.”
Antony’s Family History
Growing up in Grimsby during a time of significant change left a lasting impression. Childhood memories are filled with the community spirit of the neighbourhood and the town’s unique character — influences that have stayed with him even while building a life elsewhere.
Family heritage played a big part in shaping that outlook. His father, Henry, was a local fish merchant, offering an early glimpse into the world of work and the harsh reality of a declining industry, an issue that continues to affect the town today.
Business and civic service ran through the family too. His brother, Walwyn, became a respected local businessman and magistrate, as had their grandfather, Walwyn Thomas Chapman.
The Chapmans can trace their roots in Cleethorpes back seven or eight generations. At different times the family owned a chemist’s shop in Market Street, Cleethorpes (now Steel’s Corner House Restaurant) and ran a successful brick-making business on Chapman Road, until a freshwater spring flooded the works — today remembered as Chapman’s Pond.
Enterprise was also evident in wider branches of the family. Great-uncle Ben co-founded what has since grown into the largest law firm in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, Wilkin Chapman Rollits — a reminder of the strength, ambition, and success that can emerge from the town.
The story stretches back even further. Great-grandfather Henry Morris moved from Kent to Grimsby in the 1850s, starting out as a deckie on the trawlers before eventually becoming a trawler owner. When he married Mary Ann Trolley in 1862, she was living in King Edward Street North in East Marsh, while he was a fisherman lodging in Worsley Buildings.
Football has always been another thread connecting him to home. A keen supporter of Grimsby Town FC, he first saw the Mariners play in 1948, still in the old First Division, with stars such as George Tweedy and Harry Betmead from the club’s famous 1930s team.
Even now, he follows them whenever they play near his current home and is delighted with the new ownership and the promising start to the 2025–26 season.
The knowledge gained from this deep family history, together with his own experiences, has provided both a grounding in Grimsby’s working culture and a strong belief in what is possible — lessons carried with him throughout life and career.
The Home Wins Project
For Antony, joining the Home Wins team was about more than nostalgia – it was about purpose. He believes those who’ve left the area can play a powerful role in shaping its future by offering skills, networks, perspective and even funding.
Through his involvement, Antony wants to support initiatives that create pride, opportunity, and ambition in the area. He hopes his story shows others who’ve moved away that they can still play a role in the town's future.
Its regeneration, that isn’t just about buildings or infrastructure – it’s about people, connections, and hope. “My message is simple,” Antony says. “If Grimsby made a difference in your life, you can make a difference in its future. You don’t have to live here to care about here.”
Even while living away, Antony is finding meaningful ways to give back. Most recently, recognising how important accessible, community-led health and wellbeing activities are for the town, he has agreed to fund the new Grimsby Junior Park Run in Grant Thorold Park, which is scheduled to start in October 2025.
He also arranged for a donation to Grimsby Town Football Foundation for kits for local girl footballers through his brother’s charity, the Walwyn Chapman Charitable Trust.
Antony’s journey shows that belonging doesn’t end with geography. Whether you live in the town or thousands of miles away, being part of Home Wins is about staying connected, sharing ideas, and contributing to change.
If you’ve left North East Lincolnshire but want to be part of its next chapter, Jose Davies at the Home Wins team would love to hear from you; you can write to her via the email below.
Join us, share your story, and help write the future of Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
