Paul Shirtliff
Encyclopedia
Paul Robert Shirtliff was an English footballer who played as a defender in The Football League
for Sheffield Wednesday
and Northampton Town
, but spent the majority of his career in non-league football. He was the younger brother of former Sheffield Wednesday defender Peter Shirtliff
, who is currently assistant manager of Swindon Town
.
Like his brother, Paul Shirtliff began his career at Sheffield Wednesday, where he signed a professional contract in November 1980. However, unlike his brother, Paul never became a first-team regular at Hillsborough
, and only played a handful of games for the club. In July 1984, he moved to Northampton Town on a free transfer. He spent one season with the Cobblers, playing 29 league games. He then dropped down to non-league level, and signed with Frickley Athletic
in August 1985.
Shirtliff spent three seasons with Frickley, playing more than 150 games for the club, and was twice named the club's Supporters' Player of the Year. In 1988, he moved to Boston United
for a £12,500 transfer fee. In four years at York Street
, Shirtliff played 197 first-team games for the Pilgrims, and scored two goals.
In 1992, Shirtliff moved to Dagenham & Redbridge
where he spent one season, and played 33 league games.
Shirtliff died on 13 September 2009, aged 46, due to cancer
.
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
and Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
, but spent the majority of his career in non-league football. He was the younger brother of former Sheffield Wednesday defender Peter Shirtliff
Peter Shirtliff
Peter Andrew Shirtliff is an English football coach and former player. As a player, he made more than 500 appearances in the Football League playing as a central defender for Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Barnsley and Carlisle United...
, who is currently assistant manager of Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
.
Like his brother, Paul Shirtliff began his career at Sheffield Wednesday, where he signed a professional contract in November 1980. However, unlike his brother, Paul never became a first-team regular at Hillsborough
Hillsborough Stadium
Hillsborough Stadium is the home of Sheffield Wednesday football club, Sheffield, England. Football has been played at the ground since it was opened on 2 September 1899, when Wednesday moved from their original ground at Olive Grove. Today it is a 39,812 capacity all-seater stadium, making it the...
, and only played a handful of games for the club. In July 1984, he moved to Northampton Town on a free transfer. He spent one season with the Cobblers, playing 29 league games. He then dropped down to non-league level, and signed with Frickley Athletic
Frickley Athletic F.C.
Frickley Athletic F.C. are a football club based in South Elmsall, in West Yorkshire, England. They were established in 1910 as Frickley Colliery F.C., and changed to their present name in 1974.-History:...
in August 1985.
Shirtliff spent three seasons with Frickley, playing more than 150 games for the club, and was twice named the club's Supporters' Player of the Year. In 1988, he moved to Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
for a £12,500 transfer fee. In four years at York Street
York Street
York Street, currently styled as The Jakemans Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is a football stadium in Boston, England, and is the home ground of Boston United. Originally called Shodfriars Lane, football has been played on the site since the late 19th century by a variety of Boston teams, but...
, Shirtliff played 197 first-team games for the Pilgrims, and scored two goals.
In 1992, Shirtliff moved to Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
where he spent one season, and played 33 league games.
Shirtliff died on 13 September 2009, aged 46, due to cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.