Willie Appleyard (13 August 1878 – 14 January 1958) was an English footballer, whose career at the highest level was cut short through injury.

William Appleyard, born in Caistor, Lincolnshire, known as Bill or Willie, began his career at amateur outfit Cleethorpes before signing for Grimsby Town in 1901.

Already relegated he signed for Newcastle United in April 1903, playing in two matches for the Magpies before the season ended.

He still managed 13 goals in 23 league games and also scored 8 goals in 6 FA Cup matches, including becoming the first player to score a hat-trick for Newcastle in an FA Cup tie, ironically against his former club Grimsby Town on 7 March 1908.

[9] After playing 146 games for Newcastle and scoring an impressive 88 goals, injury enforced his departure from the club at the end of the season.