| Bth | 16/04/72 | Middlesbrough | |
| P/H/W | Centre Back | 5ft 10in | |
| Jnd | 03/88 (15) | Jnr | |
| Pro | 05/90 (18) | ||
| Deb | 27/10/90 (18) | West Brom | Div 2 |
| Dep | 06/94 (22) | Released | |
| A/G | 24 (5) |
A versatile player who appeared in all defensive positions as a junior with United and who largely operated behind the centre-half in senior football.
Matty was tracked by Middlesbrough when at school, then by Hartlepool after joining their Centre of Excellence set-up. But although he lived practically next door to Ayresome Park, Matty signed for United as a trainee before turning professional in May 1990 (when he turned eighteen).
Strongly left sided, Appleby was not particularly well-built or tall, but he had pace and a good reading of the game. He was comfortable on the ball and could pass with accuracy.
Jim Smith handed him his debut in October of the 1990/91 season, although he admitted it was probably too soon for him.
Ossie Ardilles gave a lot of young players regular time in 1991/92 and despite the fact that the inexperienced rearguard were struggling, Appleby showed some promise and Jack Charlton awarded him the Barclays Young Eagle Award for both November and December.
Charlton said of him: “He’s not very big for a central defender, but he’s good in the air and very quick. He has tremendous pace and, for a small player, shows a lot of strength”.
His play could be cool and collected, but sometimes a bit too over confident. As he admitted himself, he could be “a bit laid back and casual and do stupid things.”
His younger brother, Richie, was also on United's staff at the same time and played alongside Matty against Italian club Cesena in the Anglo-Italian Cup in 1992/93.
The signings of Brian Kilcline and Darren Peacock, the conversion of Howey to a centre-back and the emergence of Alan Neilson saw Matty become surplus to requirements.
He was one of nine players told that they could leave in November 1993. Although Matty spent a successful couple of months on loan at Darlington, the Quakers couldn’t afford the £25,000 to sign him permanently.
His only call-up in his final season (1993/94) was for the home match against Coventry in February. The defence that day of Steve Watson, Alan Neilson, Robbie Elliott and Appleby was one of the youngest in the club’s history.
Matty eventually joined Darlington in the summer following his release.
A regular in the Reserves and - as a result of an injury crisis - he made his debut (along with Lee Clark) in the draw at West Brom in October. Smith admitted that: "In an ideal world I wouldn't want to push them in." Signed a new one-year deal at the end of the season.
Called into the side in November and kept his place, winning the Barclays Young Eagle Award for November and December. Lost his place when Brian Kilcline was signed.
Appleby appeared in the Anglo-Italian Cup, but found it impossible to dislodge Keegan's first choice back four.
In November, Matty was told he could leave. He went on two months loan to Darlington in December and moved there permanently when he was released at the end of the season.
Painting by Piotr Jozefowicz - if you would like a copy of this painting or a copy of the painting of any other player, past or present, please contact Piotr directly at: 008bond@wp.pl