# Colin Appleton

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English footballer (1936–2021)

Colin Appleton Personal information Full name Colin Harry Appleton[1] Date of birth (1936-03-07)7 March 1936 Place of birth Scarborough, North Riding of Yorkshire, England Date of death 31 May 2021(2021-05-31) (aged 85) Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) Positions Wing half centre half Youth career 1951–1953 Scarborough Senior career* Years Team Apps (Gls) 1953–1954 Scarborough 1954–1966 Leicester City 277 (19) 1966–1967 Charlton Athletic 28 (1) 1967–1969 Barrow 43 (1) 1969–1973 Scarborough Total 348 (21) Managerial career 1967–1969 Barrow 1969–1973 Scarborough 1975–1981 Scarborough 1982–1984 Hull City 1984 Swansea City 1985–1987 Exeter City 1987–1989 Bridlington Town 1989 Hull City * Club domestic league appearances and goals

**Colin Harry Appleton** (7 March 1936 – 31 May 2021) was an English [footballer](/source/Association_football) and [manager](/source/Manager_(association_football)). He was captain of the celebrated Leicester side nicknamed the "ice kings" which chased the double in [1962–63](/source/1962-63_in_English_football) and he also captained the club to their first ever major honour, winning the [1964 League Cup](/source/1964_Football_League_Cup_Final).

He later played for [Charlton Athletic](/source/Charlton_Athletic_F.C.) and [Barrow](/source/Barrow_A.F.C.), before playing for and managing [Scarborough](/source/Scarborough_F.C.). He went on to manage [Hull City](/source/Hull_City_A.F.C.), [Swansea City](/source/Swansea_City_A.F.C.), [Exeter City](/source/Exeter_City_F.C.) and [Bridlington Town](/source/Bridlington_Town_A.F.C.).

## Career

### Playing career

#### Leicester City

Appleton began his career as a youngster with his hometown club of [Scarborough](/source/Scarborough_F.C.) before joining [Leicester City](/source/Leicester_City_F.C.) in March 1954, just days after his 18th birthday, after being recommended to manager [Norman Bullock](/source/Norman_Bullock) by then Scarborough manager and former Leicester player Reg Halton. He made his first team debut just six months later against [Manchester City](/source/Manchester_City_F.C.), though he made just five senior appearances over the next two years as he tried to balance his football schedule with his [national service](/source/National_service).

However, in the [1956–57](/source/1956%E2%80%9357_in_English_football) season he began to see more first team action, helping Leicester on their to the [Second Division](/source/Football_League_Second_Division) title. However, it was not until the appointment of [Matt Gillies](/source/Matt_Gillies) in November 1958 until Appleton's career at Leicester really began to blossom. Under Gillies, Appleton made the number 6 shirt his own and forged a fearsome half-back line partnership with [Frank McLintock](/source/Frank_McLintock) and [Ian King](/source/Ian_King_(footballer)).[2]

He helped Leicester reach the [1961 FA Cup Final](/source/1961_FA_Cup_Final) against [Tottenham Hotspur](/source/Tottenham_Hotspur_F.C.), managed by fellow 'Scarborian' [Bill Nicholson](/source/Bill_Nicholson_(footballer)). The Spurs side also contained [Malton](/source/Malton%2C_North_Yorkshire)-born [Terry Dyson](/source/Terry_Dyson). Gillies made him club captain soon after, which saw him captain one of the most celebrated sides in the club's history as Leicester chased the double in [1962–63](/source/1962%E2%80%9363_in_English_football). Though it would eventually amount to nothing as Leicester eventually collapsed at the end of the league season and ended up finishing in a disappointing 4th position, the club then lost 3–1 to [Manchester United](/source/Manchester_United_F.C.) in the FA Cup final.

However Appleton did captain Leicester to their first ever major trophy, winning the [1964 League Cup](/source/1964_Football_League_Cup_Final) and also scored in the first leg of the [1965 League Cup final](/source/1965_Football_League_Cup_Final), as they reached the competition's final for the second consecutive season, however he could not prevent his team losing to Chelsea, going down 3–2 on aggregate.

He was awarded a testimonial at Leicester in 1964 in recognition of his services to the club and moved on to [Charlton Athletic](/source/Charlton_Athletic_F.C.) two years later after 12 years with the club.[3]

#### Post-Leicester City

A season long spell at Charlton, which included a brief reunion with Ian King, was followed by a two-year spell as player-manager of [Barrow](/source/Barrow_F.C.), before rejoining his hometown team of [Scarborough](/source/Scarborough_F.C.) in 1969 as player/manager.

## Managerial career

Appleton helped guide Scarborough to victory in the [FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy), including scoring the winning goal in the semi-final to see the club reach the final, also being named the club's player of the season in what would turn out to be his final as a player. He was named the club's permanent manager two years later and led them to a further two [FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy) triumphs. Making his three FA Trophy successes a record at the time.

His success in charge of Scarborough saw [Hull City](/source/Hull_City_A.F.C.) appoint him in 1982 and he led the club to promotion from the [Fourth Division](/source/Football_League_Fourth_Division) in his first season in charge. He then almost guided the club to back-to-back promotions, finishing fourth in the [Third Division](/source/Football_League_Third_Division) in his second season in charge, missing out on promotion by a single goal.

[Swansea City](/source/Swansea_City_F.C.) managed to entice him away from Hull City, though Appleton won just four of his 18 games in charge of the Swans and was sacked after just six months in charge. Appleton then had a two-year spell in charge of [Exeter City](/source/Exeter_City_F.C.) before a brief and unsuccessful return to Hull City before officially retiring from the game.[2] He had failed to win the respect of his players at Hull, and the 'big characters' at the club joked around at his expense, whilst on the pitch the club slid to bottom of the Second Division.[4]

## Death

Appleton died on 31 May 2021, aged 85.[5]

## Honours

### As a player

**Leicester City**

- [Football League Second Division](/source/Football_League_Second_Division): [1956–57](/source/1956%E2%80%9357_Football_League_Second_Division)

- [Football League Cup](/source/Football_League_Cup): [1963–64](/source/1963%E2%80%9364_Football_League_Cup); runner-up: [1964–65](/source/1964%E2%80%9365_Football_League_Cup)

- [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) runner-up: [1960–61](/source/1960%E2%80%9361_FA_Cup),[6] [1962–63](/source/1962%E2%80%9363_FA_Cup)[6]

### As a manager

**Scarborough**

- [FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy): [1972–73](/source/1972%E2%80%9373_FA_Trophy), [1975–76](/source/1975%E2%80%9376_FA_Trophy), [1976–77](/source/1976%E2%80%9377_FA_Trophy)

**Hull City**

- [Football League Fourth Division](/source/Football_League_Fourth_Division) second-place promotion: [1982–83](/source/1982%E2%80%9383_Football_League_Fourth_Division)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hugman_1-0)** ["Colin Appleton"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240608000000/http://barryhugmansfootballers.com/player/443). *Barry Hugman's Footballers*. Archived from [the original](http://barryhugmansfootballers.com/player/443) on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-OFAF_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-OFAF_2-1) Dave Smith & Paul Taylor (2010). *Of Fossils and Foxes*. Pitch. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-905411-94-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-905411-94-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Colin Appleton Testimonial Leicester City 1964](http://www.footballzone.co.uk/colin-appleton-testimonial-leicester-city-6039.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120322052751/http://www.footballzone.co.uk/colin-appleton-testimonial-leicester-city-6039.html) 22 March 2012 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) footballzone.co.uk, retrieved 2 April 2011

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Swan, Peter; Collomosse, Andrew (2008), *Swanny: Confessions of a Lower-League Legend*, [John Blake](/source/John_Blake_(journalist)), [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84454-660-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84454-660-2)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Wobschall, Leon (31 May 2021). ["Former Hull City manager and Scarborough FC legend Colin Appleton passes away"](https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/former-hull-city-manager-and-scarborough-fc-legend-colin-appleton-passes-away-3256288). *The Yorkshire Post*. Retrieved 2 June 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FACRU_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FACRU_6-1) Vernon, Leslie; Rollin, Jack (1977). *Rothmans Football Yearbook 1977–78*. London: Brickfield Publications Ltd. p. 490. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0354-09018-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0354-09018-6).

## External links

- [Colin Appleton management career statistics](https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=297) at [Soccerbase](/source/Racing_Post#Soccerbase)

- [Leicester City FC profile](https://web.archive.org/web/20070106172305/http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/FamousPlayersDetail/0%2C%2C10274~57449%2C00.html)

v t e Scarborough F.C. – Player of the Year 1969–70: Dunn 1970–71: Barmby 1971–72: Smethurst 1972–73: Appleton 1973–74: Dunn 1974–75: Aveyard 1975–76: Woodall 1976–77: Ayre 1977–78: Chapman 1978–79: Donoghue 1979–80: Sellers 1980–81: Sellers 1981–82: Smith 1982–83: Dennis 1983–84: Magee 1984–85: Burke 1985–86: Thompson 1986–87: Blackwell 1987–88: Kamara 1988–89: Brook 1989–90: Kamara 1990–91: Ironside 1991–92: Mooney 1992–93: Foreman 1993–94: Murray 1994–95: White 1995–96: Hicks 1996–97: Rockett 1997–98: Bennett 1998–99: Hoyland 1999–2000: Brodie 2000–01: Ellender 2001–02: Woods 2002–03: Pounder 2003–04: Hotte 2004–05: Senior 2005–06: Coulson 2006–07: Cartwright

v t e Barrow A.F.C. – managers Fletcher (1901–04) Freeland (1904–?) Smith (?–?) Craig (?–?) Charnley (1907–?) Fletcher (?–1909) Phillips (1909–?) Parker (1913–20) Dickinson (1920–22) Atkinson (1922–23) Moralee (1923–26) Greenhalgh (1926) Dickinson (1926–27) Maconnachie (1927–28) Walker (1929–30) Miller (1930) Commins (1930–32) Lowes (1932–37) Bissett (1937) Pentland (1938–40) Commins (1945–47) Beattie (1947–49) Hacking (1949–55) Harvey (1955–57) Dodgin (1957–58) W. Brown (1958–59) Rogers (1959) Staniforth (1959–64) McEvoy (1964–67) Appleton (1967–69) Else (1969) Bodell (1969–70) McEvoy (1970–71) Rogers (1971) Crompton (1971–72) Kane (1972–74) Arrowsmith (1974–75) Yeats (1975–77) Coglan and McAdams (1977) Hughes (1977) McManus (1977–79) Taylor (1979–83) Halom (1983–84) McDonnell (1984) Wojciechowicz (1984) Kidd (1984–85) Cooke (1985) Murphy (1985) Whittle (1985) Johnson (1985–86) McDonald and Skivington (1986) Wilkie (1986–91) McDonald (1991) King (1991–92) Heathcote (1992) Dinnis (1992–93) Cloudsdale (1993–94) Hesketh (1994–96) McDonald and Ventre (1996) Walsh (1996) O. Brown (1996–99) Westley (1999) Challender (1999) K. Lowe (1999–2003) Turnbull (2003–05) Edmondsonc (2005) Wilson (2005–07) Jonesc (2007) Bayliss and Sheridan (2007–12) Bayliss (2012–13) Edmondson (2013–15) Cox (2015–17) Moore (2015–17) Pennock (2017–18) Evatt (2018–20) Dunn (2020) Kellyc (2020) Jolley (2020–2021) Kellyc (2021) Cooper (2021–22) Brown (2022) Wild (2022–24) Clemence (2024–25) Whing (2025) McDonaldc (2025–26) Gallagher (2026) Maamria (2026) Foleyi (2026) Murray (2026–) (c) = caretaker manager

v t e Scarborough F.C. – managers Boyle (1935–36) Chapman (1945–46) Hall (1946–47) H. Taylor (1947–48) F. Taylor (1948–50) Bell (1950–53) Halton (1953–54) Robson (1954–57) Higgins (1957–58) Smailes (1959–61) Brown (1961–64) Franks (1964–65) Myers (1965–66) Shaw (1968–69) Appleton (1969–73) Houghton (1974–75) Appleton (1975–81) McAnearney (1981–82) Dunn (1982) Cottam (1982–84) Dunn (1984–86) Warnock (1986–89) Morris (1989) McHale (1989–93) Chambers (1993) Wicks (1993–94) Ayre (1994) McHale (1994–96) Cook (1996) Wadsworth (1996–99) Mountfield (1999) McHale (1999) Addison (1999–2000) Thompson (2000–01) McHale (2001) Kerr (2001) Slade (2001–04) Henry (2004–05) Redfearn (2005–06) Patterson (2006–07)

v t e Hull City A.F.C. – managers Ramster (1904–05) Langley (1905–13) Chapman (1913–14) Stringer (1914–16) Menzies (1916–21) Lewis (1921–23) McCracken (1923–31) Green (1931–34) Hill (1934–36) Menzies (1936) Blackburn (1936–46) Buckley (1946–48) Carter (1948–51) Jackson (1952–55) Brocklebank (1955–61) Britton (1961–69) Neill (1970–74) Kaye (1974–77) Collins (1977–78) McGuinness (1978) Houghton (1978–79) Smith (1979–82) B. Brown (1982) Appleton (1982–84) Horton (1984–88) Gray (1988–89) Appleton (1989) Ternent (1989–91) Dolan (1991–97) Hateley (1997–98) Joyce (1998–00) Russellc (2000) Little (2000–02) Russellc (2002) Mølby (2002) Russellc (2002) Taylor (2002–06) Parkinson (2006) P. Brown (2006–10) Dowie (2010) Pearson (2010–11) Barmby (2011–12) Bruce (2012–16) Phelan (2016–17) Silva (2017) Slutsky (2017) Adkins (2017–19) McCann (2019–22) Arveladze (2022) Dawsonc (2022) Rosenior (2022–24) Walter (2024) Dawsonc (2024) Sellés (2024–25) Jakirović (2025–) (c) = caretaker manager

v t e Swansea City A.F.C. – managers Whittaker (1912–14) Bartlett (1914–15) Bradshaw (1919–26) Thomson (1927–31) Harris (1934–39) Green (1939–47) McCandless (1948–55) Burgess (1955–58) Morris (1958–65) Davies (1965–66) Sykesc (1966–67) Lucas (1967–69) Robbinsc (1969) Bentley (1969–72) Gregg (1972–75) Griffiths (1975–78) Toshackp (1978–83) Livermorec (1983) Toshack (1983–84) Chappellc (1984) Appleton (1984) Chappellc (1984) Bond (1984–85) Hutchisonp (1985–86) Yorathp (1986–89) Evans (1989–90) Yorath (1990–91) Burrows (1991–95) Smithc (1995) Rimmerc (1995–96) Cullis (1996) Rimmerc (1996) Mølbyp (1996–97) Adamsp (1997) Cork (1997–98) Hollins (1998–01) Addison (2001–02) Freestone & Cusackp (2002) Cusack (2002) Flynn (2002–04) Curtisc (2004) Jackett (2004–07) Nugentc (2007) Martínez (2007–09) Sousa (2009–10) Rodgers (2010–12) Laudrup (2012–14) Monk (2014–15) Curtisc (2015–16) Guidolin (2016) Bradley (2016) Curtisc (2016–17) Clement (2017) Brittoncp (2017) Carvalhal (2017–18) Potter (2018–19) Cooper (2019–21) Martin (2021–23) Duff (2023) Sheehanc (2023–24) Williams (2024–25) Sheehan (2025) O'Deac (2025) Matos (2025–) (c) = caretaker manager; (p) = player-manager; (cp) = caretaker player-manager

v t e Exeter City F.C. – managers Chadwick (1908–22) Mavin (1923–27) D. Wilson (1928–29) McDevitt (1929–35) English (1935–39) Roughton (1945–52) Kirkman (1952–53) Ward (1953) Dodgin (1953–57) Thompson (1957–58) Broome (1958–60) G. Wilson (1960–62) Spiers (1962–63) Edwards (1963–65) Stuttard (1965–66) Basford (1966–67) Broome (1967–69) Newman (1969–76) Saxton (1977–79) Godfrey (1979–83) Francis (1983–84) Iley (1984–85) Appleton (1985–87) Cooper (1988–91) Ball (1991–94) Cooper (1994–95) Fox (1995–2000) Blake (2000–01) Cornforth (2001–02) McNab (2002–03) Peters (2003) Dolan (2003–04) Perryman (2004) Inglethorpe (2004–06) Tisdale (2006–18) Taylor (2018–22) Caldwell (2022–26) Taylor (2026–)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Colin Appleton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Appleton) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Appleton?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.