Mick was born in 1912 at Cowdenbeath, Scotland to Michael and Mary Shields (née O'Neill).

In 1934, at the age of 21, Mick relocated and went to play for Quirindi 1st Grade in the area now classified as the Group 4 Rugby League competition.

Mick, at the age of 22, was then selected in the Australian team as a second hooker to tour New Zealand from which he played 2 games, but no tests.

[1] In 1936 he joined Western Suburbs Magpies in the Sydney competition and was selected in the representative City Seconds Team to play Country Seconds and a Sydney Representative team.

In 1951, he hosted, on radio station 2CK Cessnock, a Newcastle Rugby League Weekly Commentary and News Report.