Career
Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland he began his career with before moving to England where he had spells with, Peterborough United, N ottinghamshire County and Retford before returning to Ireland to finish his career with Sligo Rovers. Club career He moved to in October 1958, along with fellow player Harry Orr for a combined fee of £9,000. Shiels spent six seasons with United but failed to ever really make the transition to the first team, spending most of his time playing in the reserves.
Both Shiels and Orr left the Blades to sign for Peterborough United in July 1964 for a combined fee of £5,000.
After just one season Shiels was on the move again, this time to N ottinghamshire County before moving on to non–league Retford in July 1966 and then back to Ireland to play for Sligo Rovers in February 1967. International career Shiels was selected to play for the Northern Ireland B team in 1959 and duly made his debut in a 1–1 draw against France B on 11 November of that year.
He made one more appearance for Northern Ireland B, appearing once more against France in a 5–0 defeat on 16 March 1960. Shiels was the son of former player Paddy Shiels.
He trained to be an accountant and his transfer to was made on the understanding that he would be able to continue his studies.
During his full-time football career in England, he continued his education which began at Street Malachy"s College, Belfast 1952-1957, gaining additional qualifications leading to B.ED.Phys. Education, Sheffield University and Master of Science Sports Psychology, Manchester.Met.Univ. As an EUFA A Coach he worked for The FA Coach Education Programme and setting up and developing College Football Academies in Manchester and Northamptonshire.
