Appy wins promotion

Michael Appleton's sterling work with the Academy has been rewarded with Albion boss Tony Mowbray promoting the former midfielder to reserve-team coach. Mowbray has had to reshuffle his backroom staff after the departure of Craig Shakespeare to Leicester City. Former Norwich boss, Peter Grant, joined as first-team coach and Dan Harris as Head of Sports Science with newly appointed reserve team coach, Appleton, completing the reshuffle.

"Michael is going to step up and look after the reserves and, with the support of the Academy staff, the youth team," Tony Mowbray said.

"We hope by giving the lads who are coming through to become young professionals a familiar voice to listen to it will provide continuity.

"For Michael he faces a new experience of marrying his work with youth team players to work with senior players.

"He's got strong opinions on the game, is good to work with and, as with all my staff, I canvas his opinion on my team."

Appleton initially joined the Baggies from Preston North End in January 2001 for £750,000 but saw his career ended after a serious training-ground knee injury forced the former Manchester United man to hang up his boots. However the hard working midfielder quickly turned his attentions to coaching youngsters at the club.

"I'm delighted to be made reserves coach and this is a good step up the ladder for me," Appy said.

"Hopefully I can repay the manager's faith in me.

"It's been a rollercoaster ride in my seven-and-half-years at the club.

"When I first started coaching here it was with the Under-14s, then with the development squad before working with Craig Shakespeare, who helped me a lot, on the youth team.

"My responsibility now is to look after all the players at the club aged between 16 and 21.

"It's going to be good for the reserves to be playing in the Barclays Premier Reserve League (South) for the first time after spending previous years in the Northern section.

"It's an opportunity to pit our wits against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and West Ham, which is going to be difficult."