A big powerful and aggressive centre half, Appleby joined Burnley early in 1953 but in five years at the club made only one first team appearance. That came on May Day 1957 when he stood in for Jimmy Adamson at Blackpool when he landed himself a booking, a rare event at the time, for a foul on Jackie Mudie.
Having left Burnley he went on to play for Blackburn, Southport and Chester before returning to his native North East where he continued to play for some time in non-league football before becoming manager of Horden Colliery Welfare.
Jim lived in Peterlee in County Durham and passed away on 6th January. His wife Margaret had previously passed away and Jim leaves three children, Jimmy, Peter and Karen, and was also a granddad and great granddad.
Our thoughts are with Jimmy, Peter, Karen and their families at this sad time.