Started out with big hopes at Manchester United but, like so many bright young stars, he failed to make an impression with Old Trafford's top guns.
After a couple of loan spells gave him much needed first team experience he eventually moved to Preston for what was a record club transfer of £500,000 in 1997.
Did not sparkle straight away but after an extended first team run in the 1999/2000 season he seemed to find some great form and started to bang in his share of goals from midfield.
But Appleton fell out with Preston after a contract dispute and West Brom immediately swooped to sign the star for £750,000 in January 2001.
Appleton was bitter about his treatment from the Deepdale club, and the player said: 'This has left a bitter taste for me. I've been made out to be greedy and wanting a move. But that couldn't be further from the truth. I'm gutted.'
Soon became an important player for West Brom, but was rocked when suffering a cruciate injury during training in November 2001. That ruled the star out of the remainder of the Baggies promotion campaign - and the start of their debut Premiership season.
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