He made no appearances in the 1980–81 championship success and enjoyed just one more league outing before a £50,000 switch to Sheffield Wednesday in March 1982.
In July 1987 Shelton moved to Oxford United for £150,000, but he was unable to prevent their relegation out of Division One and League Cup semi-final loss to Luton Town.
Shelton was transferred again in August 1989, when he joined Third Division side Bristol City in a swap deal with future England manager Steve McClaren.
His first season ended in promotion and Shelton was to enjoy a brief spell in joint caretaker charge of the club with Mark Aizlewood and Russell Osman in 1992.
[2] His final league appearance for the club was a month before his 40th birthday on 14 February 1998, in a goalless draw at Hartlepool United.