Gareth Sheldon

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Gareth Sheldon

| image = Sheldon, Gareth.jpg

| image_size = 300

| fullname = Gareth Richard Sheldon

| height =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1980|1|31}}

| birth_place = Birmingham, England

| position = Striker

| years1 = 1997–2002 | clubs1 = Scunthorpe United | caps1 = 89 | goals1 = 8

| years2 = 2002–2005 | clubs2 = Exeter City | caps2 = 80 | goals2 = 13

| years3 = 2005–2006 | clubs3 = Kidderminster Harriers | caps3 = 34 | goals3 = 2

| years4 = 2006–2007 | clubs4 = Hereford United | caps4 = 8 | goals4 = 1

| years5 = 2007 | clubs5 = Halesowen Town | caps5 = 7 | goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2007–2009 | clubs6 = Tamworth | caps6 = 41 | goals6 = 10

| years7 = 2009 | clubs7 = King's Lynn | caps7 = 7 | goals7 = 6

| years8 = 2009–2010 | clubs8 = Atherstone Town | caps8 = 0 | goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2010–2011 | clubs9 = Bolehall Swifts | caps9 = 17 | goals9 = 4

| years10 = 2011–2012 | clubs10 = Bardon Hill | caps10 = | goals10 =

| years11 = 2012–2013 | clubs11 = Bolehall Swifts | caps11 = 10 | goals11 = 2

| years12 = 2013–2014 | clubs12 = Polesworth | caps12 = | goals12 =

| nationalyears1 = 2004 | nationalteam1 = England C

| nationalcaps1 = 6 | nationalgoals1 = 1

}}

Gareth Richard Sheldon (born 31 January 1980) is an English former professional footballer, who last played for Midland Football Combination Division Two side Polesworth, where he played as a striker.

Playing career

=Exeter City=

On 22 May 2002, Sheldon signed a two-year deal with Third Division side Exeter City.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/exeter_city/2002342.stm | work=BBC News | title=Exeter sign winger | date=22 May 2002}}

=Kidderminster Harriers=

Sheldon's career at Exeter had alerted the attentions of Kidderminster Harriers manager Stuart Watkiss following the club's relegation to the Conference, and on 13 July 2005 they moved to sign him on a free transfer.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kidderminster_harriers/4652013.stm | work=BBC News | title=Harriers to sign Exeter's Sheldon | date=13 July 2005}} The move failed to bring out the best in Sheldon, and following a disappointing season and the dismissal of Watkiss, he was released from his contract on 23 June 2006,{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kidderminster_harriers/4966372.stm | work=BBC News | title=Seven let go in Harriers clearout | date=2 May 2006}} having made 34 appearances and scored two goals.

=Hereford United=

He was picked up on the free transfer the same day by newly promoted League Two side Hereford United. However, Sheldon was unable to secure a regular first-team place. He made eight league appearances for the club, scoring once against Mansfield Town,{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6236843.stm | work=BBC News | title=Hereford 1–3 Mansfield | date=13 January 2007}} and his contract was terminated by mutual consent on 27 February 2007.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hereford_united/6401557.stm | work=BBC News | title=Midfielder Sheldon leaves Bulls | date=27 February 2007}}

=Tamworth=

On 16 May 2007, Sheldon signed for Tamworth of the Conference North division for the 2007–08 season. Playing in an advanced left-sided midfield position, he won player-of-the-year honours in an under-achieving side. Towards the end of the season, he was played in a central attacking position and his success here was carried over into Tamworth's encouraging start to the 2008–09 season.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tamworth/6662825.stm | work=BBC News | title=Tamworth sign up veteran Taggart | date=16 May 2007}}

=Bolehall Swifts=

Following his recovery from his long-term injury, Sheldon joined former Adders manager Daren Fulford at his new club Bolehall Swifts.{{cite web |url=http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/tamworthfc/Swifts-make-big-statement-intent-signing-star-striker/article-2415934-detail/article.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505064936/http://www.thisistamworth.co.uk/tamworthfc/Swifts-make-big-statement-intent-signing-star-striker/article-2415934-detail/article.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |title=Swifts make big statement of intent by signing star striker |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date=15 July 2010 |publisher=ThisIsTamworth.co.uk |accessdate=15 July 2010 }}