Appleyard began his career with hometown club Crewe Alexandra at the age of eight, signing a two-year scholarship with Crewe, aged 16.[3] He then joined Stevenage on a "developmental contract" on 24 July 2018.[3] Ahead of the 2018–19 season, on 7 August 2018, Appleyard was sent on a 28-day loan deal to Southern League Premier Division Central club Royston Town in order to gain first-team experience.[4] He made his Royston debut in the club's opening game of the campaign, a 0–0 draw with Alvechurch on 11 August 2018.[5][6] Appleyard went on to make four first-team appearances during his time with the club before returning to Stevenage upon the conclusion of the loan agreement.[5]
On his return to Stevenage, he made his first-team debut in an 8–0 EFL Trophy group stage defeat to Charlton Athletic on 9 October 2018.[7] Appleyard joined Southern League Division One Central club Bedford Town on loan for the remainder of the season on 29 March 2019.[8] He did not make any appearances during the loan spell.[9] Appleyard was released by Stevenage in May 2019.[10]
FC Halifax Town
Following his departure from Stevenage, Appleyard signed for National League club FC Halifax Town on 8 July 2019.[11] He spent the 2019–20 season at Halifax as their second-choice goalkeeper and did not make any first-team appearances for the club.[12] Appleyard was included in Halifax's list of released players on 27 August 2020.[13]
Tadcaster Albion
Appleyard joined Northern Premier League Division One North West club Tadcaster Albion on 3 October 2020.[14] He made his debut on the same day, deputising for the injured Michael Ingham in the club's 1–1 draw with Mossley in the FA Cup.[14][15] Tadcaster won the tie 4–3 on a penalty shootout, during which Appleyard saved a penalty.[14][16] He went on to play seven times during the month before the Northern Premier League season was curtailed due to restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.[14]