Nicknamed Cockles, a reference to his previous job he had as a Grimsby fisherman, he joined the Mariners who had just been promoted from the second division and in the 1901–02 season, Appleyard scored 9 goals in 19 league appearances for Grimsby.
Cockles was nicknamed after his previous job as a fisherman from Grimsby, and he joined the Mariners who had been elevated to the top division. In the 1901–02 season, Appleyard achieved 9 goals in 19 league matches for Grimsby.