A Northern Irish professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder, known for his skillful playing style and goal-scoring ability.
Dean Shiels is a Northern Irish former footballer and current manager of Coleraine, known for his remarkable perseverance and achievements on the field despite losing his right eye at the tender age of eight.
Throughout his career, Shiels has played for several clubs, including Hibernian, Doncaster Rovers, Kilmarnock, Rangers, Dundalk, FC Edmonton, and Dunfermline Athletic, and has made 14 full international appearances for Northern Ireland.
Born on February 1, 1985, Shiels' life took a dramatic turn when he suffered a domestic accident at the age of eight, resulting in the loss of his right eye. Despite this setback, Shiels' determination and passion for football drove him to pursue his dreams.
Shiels started his professional career at Arsenal, but made no first-team appearances for the club before signing for Hibernian in 2004. In early 2006, he underwent an operation to remove his damaged eye, which was causing headaches. The surgery was a success, and Shiels returned to action later that year.
During his time at Hibernian, Shiels reestablished himself in the first-team squad, scoring in the team's first two league matches in the 2006-2007 season. Although he struggled to establish himself as a regular starter, he did score his first hat-trick for Hibs on January 12, 2008, in a 3-0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup.
In February 2009, Shiels signed for Doncaster Rovers for a fee of around £50,000. He made his Rovers debut on February 21, 2009, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3-1 defeat at Swansea City. His first goal for the club came in the last home match of the 2008-2009 season, when he scored the first goal in a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
Shiels has made 14 full international appearances for Northern Ireland, earning his first cap in 2005. He was part of the Northern Ireland squad that participated in the 2016 European Championship qualifiers.
In November 2008, St Mirren apologized to Shiels after one of their supporters verbally abused him regarding his disability during a match at Love Street. Hearts also criticized their supporters after they taunted Shiels about his disability during an Edinburgh derby match.
Despite facing such challenges, Shiels has remained an inspiration to many, proving that disability is not a barrier to success. His remarkable story has earned him recognition and admiration from fans and fellow players alike.
Dean Shiels' unwavering dedication and perseverance have left an indelible mark on the world of football. His inspiring story has shown that with hard work and determination, anything is possible, regardless of the obstacles one may face.
As he continues to make his mark as a manager, Shiels remains an icon of inspiration, a testament to the power of the human spirit, and a reminder that disability is not inability.
41 Years Old
Midfielder who played for clubs like Rangers and Southampton, earning 126 caps for Northern Ireland, and is their most-capped player.
38 Years Old
A Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a winger, known for his pace and goal-scoring ability, and has played for several clubs including Celtic and Aberdeen.
46 Years Old
A Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a centre-back for clubs like West Bromwich Albion and Rangers, earning 80 caps for his national team.
46 Years Old
Northern Irish professional footballer who played as a defender for various clubs, including Fulham and Queens Park Rangers, earning 112 caps for his national team.
38 Years Old
A Northern Irish professional footballer who has played for several clubs, including Rangers and Norwich City, and has been capped over 80 times for his country. He's known for his goal-scoring ability and versatility on the pitch.
46 Years Old
A Northern Irish footballer who played as a midfielder, earning 95 caps for his country and winning the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award in 2001.
45 Years Old
A former professional footballer who played for several clubs, including Leeds United and Cardiff City, and later managed teams in the UK and Asia. He's known for his versatility on the pitch and tactical acumen as a manager.
