 Nyora kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Shirtliff akaberekerwa muHoyland, pedyo neBarnsley. Akatanga nhabvu yake neSheffield Chitatu, uko mumasvikiro maviri nekirabhu akawana kukwidziridzwa kubva kuChipiri Chikamu muna 1983-84, nzvimbo yechitatu muChikamu Chekutanga mumwaka wa1991-92, uye menduru yeLigi Cup-vakundi muna 1991, asi akarasikirwa ne1993 League Cup uye FA Cup finals.ane ruoko rwakaputsika. Akatamba mitambo inopfuura mazana matatu nemakumi mashanu yekirabhu mumakwikwi ese. Mushure mekutanga kwake neChitatu, akabatana neCharlton Athletic, uko zvibodzwa zvake zviviri mumaminetsi gumi ekupedzisira enguva yekuwedzera mumutambo wekupedzisira we1986 87 uchipesana neLeeds wakachengeta kirabhu muFirst Division. Akatambawo kuWolverhampton Wanderers, Barnsley uye Carlisle United. 