After spells with several other clubs Robert Shanks had two seasons with Exeter City either side of 1930 following his move from Connah's Quay.  After making around forty league appearances he moved on to Stockport County. 

He had spells with York City, Stockton and Huddersfield Town but didn’t feature in the first teams before joining Connah’s Quay Nomads.

It was from there in June 1929 that he moved to Exeter City. He only had to wait until the the third game of the 1929-30 season before he got his Football League chance, that being in a 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic. Thereafter he was the regular left-back in the Exeter team and also netted his only goal for the club in a 1-1 draw at home to Plymouth Argyle in March 1930. Although retained for the following season, Bob was to add just five more league outings and in 1931 signed for Stockport County where he featured in 13 Third Division North fixtures.