Roy Shiner is recognised as the Isle of Wight’s greatest ever footballer.
He scored 107 goals in 196 Football League appearances at an average of 0.55 goals per game – a comparable strike rate to that of Gary Lineker. By comparison, Lee Bradbury – possibly the Isle of Wight’s 2nd best all time player – scored 92 goals in 510 games at an average of just 0.18 goals per game.
What is more remarkable is that Roy’s most prolific goalscoring feats with Sheffield Wednesday came when he was over 30 years old – he only turned pro aged 27. His footballing career had been delayed by the onset of World War II and his father’s insistence that he complete his carpentry apprenticeship.
Roy Albert James Shiner was born in Ryde on 15th November 1924. His father managed the Eagle Hotel in Ryde. He started his football career during World War II with East Cowes Victoria.
Roy’s first chance of a professional career came during the war while playing for Vics when he came up against a Birmingham City player who was serving in the Royal Navy in the derby against Cowes Sports. His opponent was impressed with his game and offered him a trial with the Midlands club. However, his father (briefly a top level player himself and therefore aware of the pitfalls) discouraged him from taking up the offer.
Shiner did however attend trials with Wolves and Pompey (which were unsuccessful) before signing for the less glamorous Ryde Sports. His career started inauspiciously in the reserves. However, a local newspaper report changed the trajectory of his career.
The report stated:
“If Shiner could kick as well with his right as well as he can with his left, he would be in the first team.”
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Roy then spent hours kicking a football against a wall with his right foot.
His training paid off. In the 1947/48 season, he scored 50 goals. He also netted a winner for Ryde Sports against Southern League Poole Town in the FA Cup, then bagged a hat trick for the Hampshire representative side against Gloucestershire.
Shiner’s heroics for the Hampshire side brought him to the attention of Southern League Cheltenham Town, who signed him on a semi-pro contract in 1949 when aged 24.
Roy scored on his debut at Whaddon Road and went on to spend 2 years at Cheltenham, before being spotted by a Huddersfield Town scout at a pre-season friendly against Wolves in 1951. The Terriers paid Cheltenham £1,250 (£33,500 in today’s values) for his services.
The Isle of Wight footballer spent 4 years at the then Division 1 club, scoring just 6 goals in a meagre 22 appearances, struggling to make his mark at the highest level of domestic football.
Roy’s fortunes changed in 1955 – by now aged over 30 – when persuaded by a Sheffield Wednesday scout to join the Owls. He was offered £17 a week (£379 in today’s values) plus a club house when he married his wife, Maureen.
Shiner’s performances for the Sheffield club were outstanding. In his first season – playing in the 2nd Division – he netted 33 times in 42 games as the club won promotion, including a hat trick in their final game against Lincoln City. His most memorable match was scoring twice against Leeds United while being marked by future World Cup winner Jack Charlton.
When playing in Division 1 (now the Premiership), his greatest game came in 1957 when the Owls beat the ‘Busby Babes’ (Manchester United – who went on to win the leagues) 2-1 in front of over 51,000 at Hillsborough and netting the winning goal.
In total, Roy scored 93 times in 153 games for the Owls. In 1959 – aged 34 – he was transferred to Hull City for the sum of £6,000 (£120,000 in today’s values) where he ended his professional career in 1961 after scoring just 6 times for the Tigers.
Following a short spell back at Cheltenham Town – where he became player-manager – Shiner returned to the Island, working as a carpenter and managing local sides.
His first job was at Seaview, where he took his home village club to the Isle of Wight Championship in the 1962/63 season. He was the first Island League manager to be paid (the princely sum of £3 a week). His side included several local legends, such as the 4 Allen brothers, Nobby Nash and Tony Grimwade.
He then took the helm at Newport IW FC – taking many of his former Seaview players with him. His Port side relied solely on Island-based players – previously most had crossed the Solent on match days.
After managing Newport, Roy went on to occupy the East Cowes Victoria hotseat before managing a further village side: St Helens Blue Star.
Roy Shiner sadly passed away in 1988 at the comparatively young age of 63.
As a prolific goalscorer, how much would Roy have earned in today’s Premiership? And how many goals would he have scored had his professional career began in his teens rather than at 27?
Did you ever play in under Roy Shiner in an Isle of Wight side? Let us know in the comments.
Great story, keep them coming.
What a life a true legend
Unlike players of today, over paid, under played.