Hinshelwood was born in Reading, but grew up in Croydon, and in 1969, (along with his brother Paul) played in the final of the London FA Schools Cup, watched by then Crystal Palace manager Arthur Rowe.

Hinshelwood played in the centre of midfield, and quickly fought his way into the team, while his brother initially languished in the lower echelons of the club.

[citation needed] Hinshelwood was part of the team that reached the semi-final of the 1976 FA Cup, and played in the defeats of Leeds United, Chelsea, and Sunderland (all away from home).

[citation needed] That injury proved to dominate Hinshelwood's career, and it eventually led to his retiring from the game, in late 1977.

He originally began as the youth coach, but when Micky Adams departed following promotion, he was appointed caretaker manager, along with Bob Booker.