Andy Appleby came through the youth ranks at Pools and was a beneficiary of Neale Cooper`s policy of allowing young players to have loan spells at local non-league clubs. Appleby enjoyed successful spells at Whitby and Blyth and the experience helped to toughen him up. He made his Pools debut in 2004 against Barnsley and looked a strong player for his age. Towards the end of Cooper`s reign as manager, Appleby found his chances becoming more limited as Joel Porter established himself as Adam Boyd`s strike partner. When Cooper left the club in May 2005, Appleby fell out of the first team picture altogether and was released a year later.