BIO

Peter Appelbee shared rucking duties with the legendary John Marriott, who was a close friend and fellow dentist.

Peter retired early from football because of fears he might jeopardise his career by damaging his hands.
 
He suffered from the effects of a stroke in latter years but had no time for self-pity before his death at 83 on the 11th August 2016.  His favourite saying was: “Excuses are like a***holes – everybody has one.”
 
Peter Appelbee’s father, Stan, starred on the wing for Norwood from 1928-31.  Peter was born on the 30th March 1933 and went to Wellington Road School and Prince Alfred College.
 
He played in the Colts under coach Tom Warhurst senior with the likes of Bob Fosdike and Bob Couch.  Also in  that team was Peter’s cousin, Brian Appelbee, who made the best players in his one Seconds game with Norwood. Another member of the clan, Herb – brother of Stan and uncle of Peter and Brian – earlier played “pretty football”  in the Seconds and was rated by some the equal of Stan but his small stature counted against him.

Peter kicked 64 goals in his 53 Seconds games between 1952 and 1957.  He was named best utility in the Seconds in 1952 and topped the goalkicking in 1956 with a tally of 28.

P Robins Aug 2016