PLAYER QUOTES

Bob Appleyard was one of the great bowlers of all time. He’d bowl on anything and never know when he was beaten. If you were picking an all-time England side, you’d have to consider him very seriously.

Fred Trueman

That day at Bradford he came as close to being unplayable as any bowler I’ve ever faced.

Trevor Bailey

I agree with Fred. He would be in my side ahead of Jim Laker, but he was an awkward chap, he really was. He wanted to bowl all the time.

Ray Illingworth

After such an extensive disease I would have thought that he would have been wise not to have done much for some time, but you couldn’t tell him. His main object was to get back and bowl again.

Geoffrey Wooler

Concentration. Application. Determination. He drilled those words into me, and they have stood me in good stead right through my umpiring career.

Dickie Bird

I know that Appleyard. He’s a bloody-minded Yorkshireman. He’ll take me all the way.

Robert Maxwell

It took some understanding to play with Bob. I understand him more now from having worked with him on the Yorkshire committee. You build up your admiration over a period.

Bryan Stott

All through my time in cricket, both in my playing days and on the Yorkshire committee, I’ve wanted to leave the game in better shape than I found it. That’s all you can do, I think.

Bob Appleyard

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