World War II prevented any further advance in Lapsley's career as he was called up for service with the Royal Navy, stationed initially at Birkenhead then Hayling Island.
[2] Lapsey started his senior footballing career with Tranmere Rovers after returning home from service in the Navy at the end of World War II.
The trial consisted of him taking penalty kicks against a young goalkeeper, Gordon Rennie, and on the basis of this he was invited to the boardroom to sign right away.
[3] Lapsley was originally signed as a centre forward but quickly established himself as a right back and was well known in Paisley for his strong, committed approach to the game, and was more recently compared to modern-day footballer Jörg Albertz for the directness of his free-kicks and penalties.
[2] Following Lapsley's death, a one-minute silence was held in his memory at the Scottish Cup tie between St Mirren and Motherwell on 27 January 2001.