Andy Shankland


Andrew John Shankland is an English former footballer who played 29 league and cup games in the Football League for Port Vale between 1981 and 1986. During this time the club were twice promoted out of the Fourth Division. He was forced to retire due to an ankle injury, and became a window cleaner.

Playing career

Shankland, a former apprentice at Stoke City, graduated through the Port Vale youth team to make his debut in a 2–1 home defeat to Tranmere Rovers in a League Cup match on 28 October 1981. He scored his first senior goal three days later, in a 2–1 win over Hull City at Vale Park. He finished 1981–82 with thirteen appearances to his name. He signed as a professional in March 1982, and played three games in 1982–83, as the "Valiants" won promotion out of the Fourth Division under John McGrath. He played seven Third Division and one League Cup game in 1983–84, as McGrath was replaced by John Rudge. Shankland suffered with ankle troubles throughout his career. He was restricted to just three appearances in the promotion-winning 1985–86 campaign, though found the net in a 3–1 win over Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground on 8 March. After two goals in a total of 29 appearances, he was given a free transfer in May 1986, but was forced to retire from football anyway due to an ankle injury sustained in a collision with an opposition goalkeeper; he was 22 years old. Mark Bright later stated that Shankland was a greater talent than himself or Robbie Earle and could have gone on to represent England if not for injuries.

Personal life

After retiring from the game, Shankland bought a window cleaning business. A fall from a ladder in 2003 led to a broken ankle, which developed complications, eventually resulting in him having part of his leg amputated. He suffered numerous other medical problems, and required a benefit dinner at Vale Park, organized by former footballers to raise £20,000, which went towards paying for a new prosthetic leg.
He has two children.

Statistics

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Honours

;Port Vale