Robert Appleby (15 January 1940 â 25 April 2024) was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Born in Warkworth, Appleby moved from Amble Welfare to Middlesbrough aged 17, initially playing with their Reserves before making his first-team debut in April 1960. He was a first-team regular for two seasons, and made nearly 100 appearances before moving to Hereford United in 1967. He also played for Carlisle United.
Appleby was known for making bird noises during games, and for having a shotgun in his van, which he once used to shoot pigeons over the training pitch.