Geoff Appleford

Geoff Appleford (born 26 September 1977 in Dundee, South Africa) is a retired rugby union footballer who played for London Irish at centre, then ended his career with Northampton Saints, although because of injury he never played a competitive game for the club. Geoff also played for England. He was educated at Maritzburg College.

A former Natal Shark and Mpumalanga Puma, Appleford joined London Irish in 2000. He made his England Sevens debut in 2001 and won his full England cap in 2002; qualifying through his grandparents. He was a member of London Irish’s Powergen Cup winning team of 2002.

In the summer of 2005 Appleford joined Northampton Saints.

In January 2007 Appleford was forced to take early retirement after failing to recover fully from a shoulder injury.

Geoff is possibly the first player to be injured, then signed by a club, stay with them for three years and retire having never played a game for them.

External links

* [http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/32_4201.php Appleford's injury forces early retirement]