Appleby Goes

Swansea winger Richie Appleby has completed his move to link up with former manager Jan Molby at Kidderminster.

Richie has been with Jan for the past month on loan and has shown the Dane enough to persuade the Dane to part with a contract until the end of the season and end Appleby’s five years at the Vetch Field.

Molby originally bought Appleby to the Vetch in 1996 and for the first few years he was a clear favourite with the crowd and few would argue that at the start of the cup run of 1998-99, Richie was the biggest talent that we had at the club. However, it soon became clear to those on the outside that there were problems between Richie and former manager John Hollins and first team appearances became very limited past that point.

Richie struggled with injury and I would guess that on the pitch his lowest point came in a FAW tie when he was sent off for kicking the ball at a linesman not once, but twice.

Speaking to the official site, Richie said ” I’m disappointed to be shown the door in the way I have been, but I’m looking forward to playing football again, and puttingthe last couple of years behind me.” Kidderminster currently lie 9th in Division 3, and Appleby feels that they can rise higher, which was one of the attractions that persuaded him to sign: ” We’ve got every chance of reaching the play-offs, as from what I’ve seen in this league, there’s nothing to worry about in any team. ” It’s nice that Jan wanted me, it’s the second time he’s signed me in my career, but it wasn’t the real attraction. That was first team football.”

Richie Appleby is undoubtedly one of the most talented footballers to pass through the Vetch Field gates in recent years and it was a shame that we probably never saw the full ability of the man in the last few years. Personally, I wish him all the best at Kidderminster and if Jan can bring the best out of him then the Harriers have a good ‘un.

Thanks Richie, it was good at times, but it could have been so much better.