[3][4] Now favoured to Billy Grassam, the 1908–09 season saw 20 goals in 49 appearances, including all four in a game against Plymouth Argyle, and a hat-trick in a 4–2 win over Swindon Town.

As Shea's stock continued to rise, other clubs could not fail to notice the qualities of the skilful ball player and prolific scorer, and he was described by one football writer as having an "uncanny ability to pass to himself".

[5] His time at Blackburn was interrupted by World War I, but he scored regularly and his 27 goals (together with Eddie Latheron's 13) in 1913–14 helped the club win the Football League Division One championship that season.

He also appeared for Nottingham Forest, where he was part of the team that beat Everton 1–0 on 17 May 1919 in the second leg of the Victory Shield, contested between the winners of the Lancashire and Midland sections of the Football League.

[1] He went on to play for Coventry City and spent two seasons at Clapton Orient, before signing for Kent League club Sheppey United in October 1926.