Career
Appleby started his professional career with Burnley after playing amateur football with Wingate Welfare. He made his debut for the club on 1 May 1957 in the 0–1 home defeat to Blackpool. In 1961, Appleby joined Southport where he made 13 league appearances in one season with the team
He ended his professional career with Chester City, where he played one match in the 1962-1963 season before moving into non-league football.
He had a spell as manager of Horden Colliery Welfare during the 1960s. Appleby, aged 79, died on 6 January 2014.