RIP Dennis Shiels

[Silent Blade]

The last player alive from the below 1961-62 photo. He attended some matches at the Lane in recent seasons

https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2026/june/17/rip-dennis-shiels/

 

[Pintor75]

The last player alive from the below 1961-62 photo. He attended some matches at the Lane in recent seasons

View attachment 238891

https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2026/june/17/rip-dennis-shiels/

RIP

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

The last player alive from the below 1961-62 photo. He attended some matches at the Lane in recent seasons

View attachment 238891

https://www.sufc.co.uk/news/2026/june/17/rip-dennis-shiels/

The end of an era. That photo has a first eleven which those of us of a certain age can still recite without needing to think about it (this was the era before subs, and the consistency of selection is amazing to look back on). The reserves such as Cliff Mason and Denis Shiels were more or less automatic selections when needed, and though Shiels’ career at the Lane did not really take off, he never let the team down when he played. Given that context, his death has an added poignancy. RIP

 

[Blackheath Blade]

Always sad to read of the passing of our former players. RIP Denis and condolences to his family and friends.

 

[LSF]

My second ever game at the Lane was against Spurs, who had done the elusive double the season before.
My dad decided it was worth taking his 8 year old nuisance again after my first appearance towards the end of the previous season didn't end well....
This time we went on the Kop as opposed to my debut on the terrace.
The shock as the teams came out was that Dennis Shiels had the number 7 shirt instead of Len Allchurch. I remember my dad grumbling Shiels was a centre forward not a winger and what was Harris playing at (nothing changes eh!).
The 1-1 outcome was a good result for the newly promoted Blades against the darlings of the football world back in the day.
My dad was happier on the way home than he was when the teams came out .

RIP Dennis

 

[finlaytheblade]

The end of an era. That photo has a first eleven which those of us of a certain age can still recite without needing to think about it (this was the era before subs, and the consistency of selection is amazing to look back on). The reserves such as Cliff Mason and Denis Shiels were more or less automatic selections when needed, and though Shiels’ career at the Lane did not really take off, he never let the team down when he played. Given that context, his death has an added poignancy. RIP

Him and Harry Orr! Two Irish lads who were bit part players around the club.Shiels used to have some lively banter with the small crowds at reserve matches! R.I.P