Mark John Shelton (born 12 September 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for side Grimsby Town on loan from club York City.
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.
In January 2016 he joined Loughborough Dynamo on loan until the end of the season. On his return from the loan he was released by the club.
Non-League He then joined Ilkeston in June 2016.
In November 2016 he joined Alfreton Town.
Salford City In June 2017 he joined Salford City after the clubs agreed a fee. In a 3–1 win against Boreham Wood, Shelton scored a goal which would later be voted as Salford's goal of the season. 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. 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.
Woking and Hartlepool United loans On 11 October 2019, Shelton returned to the National League, to join Woking on a three-month loan. 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. On 16 November 2019, it was confirmed by manager, Alan Dowson that Shelton's loan spell had been terminated, following limited game-time opportunities.
In December 2019 he went out on loan to Hartlepool United. 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.
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. He started in the first game of the season in a 2–1 win against Aldershot Town. His first goal of the 2020–21 season came in a 1–1 draw at FC Halifax Town. 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. In the resulting penalty shoot-out, Shelton scored his penalty as Hartlepool were promoted to League Two after winning 5–4 on penalties.
After a successful 2020–21 season, Shelton extended his contract with Hartlepool ahead of the 2021–22 season. 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. 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. Shelton made his 100th appearance for Hartlepool in September 2022. Following several first team injuries, Shelton was moved into defence and scored in a 3–3 draw with Harrogate Town.
Oldham Athletic On 20 January 2023, Shelton signed for National League side Oldham Athletic on a deal until summer 2025.
In June 2024, Shelton had his Oldham contract terminated by mutual consent.
Barnet On 13 June 2024, the same day as his departure from Oldham was announced, Shelton agreed to join fellow National League side Barnet. 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. Across two seasons, he scored twenty goals in 79 games for the Bees.
York City On 7 May 2026, it was confirmed that Shelton would join newly-promoted EFL League Two side York City on 1 July 2026 following the expiration of his Barnet contract.
Loan to Grimsby On 1 September 2026, Shelton joined fellow League Two side Grimsby Town on a season-long loan. He scored on his debut for the club as a substitute on 5 September 2026 in a 2–2 against Cheltenham Town.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBurton Albion2014–15League Two00000000002015–16League One0000000000Total0000000000Alfreton Town2016–17National League North222——00222Salford City2017–18For FA Cup second qualifying round: For FA Trophy third qualifying round: National League North26110—102812018–19National League14200—101522019–20League Two5100001061Total454100030494Woking (loan)2019–20National League3110—0041Hartlepool United2019–20National League14300—001432020–21National League36300—303932021–22League Two3314000414122022–23League Two131101020171Total9685010911119Oldham Athletic2022–23National League20100—002012023–24National League15100—00151Total352000091352Barnet2024–25National League331210—2036122025–26League Two408101010438Total73202010307920York City2026–27League Two0000000000Grimsby Town (loan)2026–27League Two1100000011Career total27437902015130038
Honours Salford City National League play-offs: 2019 National League North: 2017–18
Hartlepool United National League play-offs: 2021
Barnet National League: 2024–25
References
External links Profile at the Salford City F.C. website