Background
The son of Stanley Charles (1903–1983) and Jean Shelton (died 1978), née Dickens, Ian was born on 24 February 1940.
The son of Stanley Charles (1903–1983) and Jean Shelton (died 1978), née Dickens, Ian was born on 24 February 1940.
Football player
Shelton played as a centre half back, debuting in 1959 and winning Essendon"s best first year player award. He was a premiership player in 1962, as well as being Essendon"s best and fairest runner up, and representing Victoria during that year. He did not play for the entire 1964 season due to an eye injury he suffered in a tractor accident on his farm in Avenel, Victoria.
He returned in 1965, also holding the position of vice captain, only able to see out of one eye.
He finished his final season playing in his second premiership team He bravely chose to play in the Grand Final despite a severe shoulder injury.
He was released by Essendon in 1966, because they could not come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement for him to commute between Avenel and Essendon.