NEWS, NOTES & MILESTONES

BIRTHS

1975 - Michael Appleton

Salford-born Michael Appleton started his career with Manchester United, signing professionally for United in the summer of 1994. He struggled to break through into the first team at Old Trafford and spent spells on loan at Wimbledon, Lincoln City and Grimsby Town before in August 1997 he signed permanently for Preston North End in a £500,000 deal. He quickly became a regular for the Lilywhites, in his three-and-a-half years at the club he made 140 appearances and scored 15 goals. He signed for Albion in January 2001 in a £750,000 deal but had made just 38 appearances for the club when in November 2001 he tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after an accidental training ground collision with team mate Des Lyttle. It would be the end of his playing career. Two years later in November 2003 and at the age of just 27, Appleton was forced to retire after failing to recover from the injury.

After retiring Appleton stayed at The Hawthorns in a coaching capacity. He worked coaching the club’s youngsters before moving up to the reserve team squad. In June 2009 Appleton was appointed first-team coach under new Baggies’ boss Roberto Di Matteo. After the board sacked Di Matteo in February 2011, Appleton was placed in temporary charge of first-team affairs. In his only game in charge as caretaker manager, Albion drew 3-3 at home to West Ham United.

In November 2011, Portsmouth unveiled Appleton as their new manager. He spent one year at Fratton Park, suffering relegation amidst the backdrop of the club entering administration. On 7 November 2012, Appleton was appointed manager of Blackpool on a one-year rolling contract. His time at Blackpool was even shorter than his spell on the South Coast, after just 65 days in charge of the club he left to take over as Blackburn Rovers’ boss. His spell at Ewood Park lasted slightly longer - 67 days - before he was ‘relieved of his duties’.

1914 - Lawrence Coen

Laurie Coen joined Albion as an amateur in August 1932, signing professionally for the club two months later. The Lowestoft-born winger would not make his Baggies’ debut until February 1937 and after making just nine first team appearances for the club, in June 1938 he left to join Coventry City. Coen guested for a number of clubs during World War II whilst serving in the armed forces for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired from playing in 1949 and went on to work in a West Bromwich iron foundry. He continued to live locally until his death in 1972 at the age of 57.
 

DEATHS

None known.

DEBUTS

1971 - Graham Smith v Leeds United, Elland Road, First Division.

1948 - Eddie Wilcox v Barnsley, Oakwell, Second Division.

1926 - George Shaw v Sheffield United, Bramall Lane, First Division.
 

FAREWELLS

2004 - Artim Sakiri (as substitute) v Portsmouth, Fratton Park, Premier League.

TRANSFERS

None known.

RESULTS