John Shaw, a vastly-experienced goalkeeper who had started at Leeds United and had made nearly 300 league appearances for Bristol City, was a mainstay of the Exeter City sides of the mid-1980s as he accumulated over a hundred league appearances before losing his place to Mel Gwinnett. 

John started as an apprentice with Leeds United although, having turned professional in April 1971, he never made a league appearance even though he played in European competitions against Lierse SK and Hibernian. Eventually moving to Bristol City in May 1974, he soon became first-choice and ultimately made 295 league appearances for his new club.    

Subsequently signing for Exeter City in July 1985, and making his league debut for the Grecians in a 1-0 home win over Port Vale in August 1985, John only missed two matches in his first season with the club and went on to retain the goalkeeper’s jersey in 1986/87 when he made a further 43 league appearances. 

Featuring in the first 12 league games in his third term with the club, John gave way to Mel Gwinnett for three games before regaining his place for a further ten games through to the Leyton Orient game on 2 January 1988 which proved to be John’s final game for City as he lost his place to Gwinnett on a permanent basis.

Released at the end of the 1987-88 season, John joined Gloucester City before running a decorating business.