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 [REF].
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 [REF].