Shotton: Robert (Bob)

WW2 Guest: 1944-1945 (Leeds United War-time Guest Player Details)

Winger

Born: Witton Gilbert, Co. Durham: 27-10-1910

Debut: v Bradford Park Avenue (a): 17-02-1945

Height & Weight: Unknown

Shotton started with Bearpark before he joined then Third Division North Durham City in 1927 but never played a senior game before moving to First Division Bolton Wanderers the following year, but once again he did not figure in the Trotters’ first team and went to Non-League West Stanley. He joined First Division Leeds United in 1930 but never played a senior game for them either, before joining Hartlepools United in August 1931. He made his debut at Left Back in a 0-6 defeat against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank on 31st August 1931. He played thirty-three League and one F.A. Cup games before playing his final game for the Monkey-Hangers at Left Back on 28th March 1932 in a 1-4 defeat at Barrow. He moved to Third Division North Barnsley and soon established himself as their regular Left Back. He had an eventful eight seasons at Oakwell and scored eight goals, all from the penalty spot, in two hundred and twenty-one League appearances and also played in fifteen F.A. Cup games. In his second season the Tykes won promotion to the Second Division as Champions of the Third Division North with Shotton scoring six goals from forty-two games. Barnsley were always relegation candidates and finally were back in the Third Division North at the end of the 1937-38 season but bounced straight back as Champions the following season. Shotton was no longer a regular in the last two seasons before the Second World War and during the War he made guest appearances with several clubs and he guested at Full Back with Leeds United in the 1944-45 Football League Northern Section (Second Championship). He made his debut at Right Back on 17th February 1945 in a 2-5 defeat away at Bradford Park Avenue and was again at Right Back in the reverse fixture at Elland Road the following week as United again went down 0-2. He missed one game before playing three consecutive games at Left Back, in a 3-1 home win over Preston North End, a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough and his final game in a 1-1 draw with Grimsby Town at Elland Road. He did not play in the Football League after the Second World War. He died in 1999.