Mark Shelton (footballer)
English footballer(born 1996)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mark John Shelton (born 12 September 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for EFL League Two club Barnet.
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Shelton warming up for Hartlepool United in 2022 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mark John Shelton[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 12 September 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Nottingham, England[2] | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[3] | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Barnet | ||
| Number | 19 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Nottingham Forest | |||
| –2015 | Burton Albion | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2016 | Burton Albion | 0 | (0) |
| 2016 | → Loughborough Dynamo (loan) | ||
| 2016 | Ilkeston | 21 | |
| 2016–2017 | Alfreton Town | 22 | (2) |
| 2017–2020 | Salford City | 45 | (4) |
| 2019 | → Woking (loan) | 3 | (1) |
| 2019–2020 | → Hartlepool United (loan) | 14 | (3) |
| 2020–2023 | Hartlepool United | 82 | (5) |
| 2023–2024 | Oldham Athletic | 35 | (2) |
| 2024– | Barnet | 73 | (20) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:59, 2 May 2026 (UTC) | |||
Shelton came through the ranks at Burton Albion, signing his first professional contract in May 2015. He continued his career in non-League, initially with Ilkeston and Alfreton Town. He signed for Salford City and won two back-to-back promotions with the Ammies. In his third season, Shelton had loan spells with Woking and Hartlepool United. After impressing with Hartlepool, he signed a permanent deal with them. In his first full season with the club, he won promotion via the play-offs. In January 2023, Shelton moved to Oldham Athletic. At the end of his second season with Oldham, Shelton moved to Barnet. In the 2024–25 season, Shelton was a member of the Barnet squad that won the National League title.
Career
Burton Albion
Shelton came through the youth teams at Burton Albion before being awarded a professional contract with the club in May 2015.[4][5]
In January 2016 he joined Loughborough Dynamo on loan until the end of the season.[6] On his return from the loan he was released by the club.[7]
Non-League
He then joined Ilkeston in June 2016.[8]
In November 2016 he joined Alfreton Town.[9]
Salford City
In June 2017 he joined Salford City after the clubs agreed a fee.[10] In a 3–1 win against Boreham Wood, Shelton scored a goal which would later be voted as Salford's goal of the season.[11][12] On 11 May 2019, Shelton was a substitute in the 68th minute for Salford in their 3–0 play-off final win against AFC Fylde at Wembley.[13] After two seasons helping the club to successive promotions to the English Football League, he made his league debut for the club on 3 August 2019 in the club's first game in the league against Stevenage.[14]
Woking and Hartlepool United loans
On 11 October 2019, Shelton returned to the National League, to join Woking on a three-month loan.[15] A day later, he went on to score on his debut during a 2–2 draw with Barnet, netting Woking's second in the 53rd minute.[16] On 16 November 2019, it was confirmed by manager, Alan Dowson that Shelton's loan spell had been terminated, following limited game-time opportunities.[17]
In December 2019 he went out on loan to Hartlepool United.[18] Shelton made his league Hartlepool debut in a 1–0 victory against Dagenham & Redbridge and scored his first goal in a 2–1 win against Eastleigh.[19][20]
Hartlepool United
After a successful loan spell at the North East club, Hartlepool made the deal permanent on 1 August 2020, following Shelton's release from parent club Salford City.[21] He started in the first game of the season in a 2–1 win against Aldershot Town.[22] His first goal of the 2020–21 season came in a 1–1 draw at FC Halifax Town.[23] Shelton played in the 2021 National League play-off final as Hartlepool drew 1–1 with Torquay United at Ashton Gate, Bristol. During the Final, Shelton covered 22 kilometres in distance.[24] In the resulting penalty shoot-out, Shelton scored his penalty as Hartlepool were promoted to League Two after winning 5–4 on penalties.[25]
After a successful 2020–21 season, Shelton extended his contract with Hartlepool ahead of the 2021–22 season.[26] In April 2022, Shelton was ruled out of the Scunthorpe United fixture after a cotton bud was stuck in his ear, forcing him to go to hospital to remove it.[27] At the end of the 2021–22 season, Shelton's contract was extended for a further year after making 41 appearances in the previous season.[28] Shelton made his 100th appearance for Hartlepool in September 2022.[29] Following several first team injuries, Shelton was moved into defence and scored in a 3–3 draw with Harrogate Town.[30][31]
Oldham Athletic
On 20 January 2023, Shelton signed for National League side Oldham Athletic on a deal until summer 2025.[32][33]
In June 2024, Shelton had his Oldham contract terminated by mutual consent.[34]
Barnet
On 13 June 2024, the same day as his departure from Oldham was announced, Shelton agreed to join fellow National League side Barnet.[35] In the 2024–25 season, Shelton made 33 league appearances, scoring 12 times and assisting on 2 separate occasions as Barnet earned promotion to League Two as champions.[36]
Career statistics
- As of end of 2025-26 season
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Burton Albion | 2014–15[37] | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015–16[38] | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Alfreton Town | 2016–17[39] | National League North | 22 | 2 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 22 | 2 | ||
| Salford City | 2017–18[39][40] | National League North | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 1[a] | 0 | 28 | 1 | |
| 2018–19[39] | National League | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 1[b] | 0 | 15 | 2 | ||
| 2019–20[41] | League Two | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
| Total | 45 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 49 | 4 | ||
| Woking (loan) | 2019–20[39] | National League | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
| Hartlepool United | 2019–20[39] | National League | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 14 | 3 | |
| 2020–21[39] | National League | 36 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 3[b] | 0 | 39 | 3 | ||
| 2021–22[42] | League Two | 33 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[c] | 1 | 41 | 2 | |
| 2022–23[43] | League Two | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 17 | 1 | |
| Total | 96 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 111 | 9 | ||
| Oldham Athletic | 2022–23[39] | National League | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | |
| 2023–24[39] | National League | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||
| Total | 35 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 35 | 2 | ||
| Barnet | 2024–25[39] | National League | 33 | 12 | 1 | 0 | — | 2[a] | 0 | 36 | 12 | |
| 2025–26[39] | League Two | 40 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[c] | 0 | 43 | 8 | |
| Total | 73 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 79 | 20 | ||
| Career total | 273 | 36 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 299 | 37 | ||
- Appearance(s) in National League play-offs
- Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
Honours
Salford City
Hartlepool United
Barnet
