Shreeves was born in Neath in South Wales where his mother had been evacuated to during the early stages of World War II, but was brought up in Islington, London.
This would normally have earned them a UEFA Cup place, but the ban on English clubs in European competition began at this time due to the Heysel Stadium disaster.
In August that year Shreeves joined the coaching staff at Queens Park Rangers and in December 1988 was made assistant manager after Trevor Francis had been appointed as player-manager.
He remained for a short while under the next manager, Danny Wilson, but left to re-join Atkinson at Nottingham Forest, where the duo were unable to prevent the club from being relegated.
The Owls were looking in real danger of a second successive relegation at the time, but Shreeves kept them clear, earning the Manager of the Month award for March 2001 in the process.
His daughter Joanne Shreeves, was found guilty of Criminal damage, Common assault and Threatening behaviour at Stratford's magistrates court in 2023.
At Thames magistrates court on 3rd of November 2023, Peter's wife Carole Shreeves was also cautioned for £4,829 of Criminal damage against their neighbours in 2023.