A Fulham apprentice who joined Luton Town at the age of seventeen in July 1970, Don Shanks represented England at Youth level during his time at Kenilworth Road and had made 90 League appearances up to November 1974 when he was transferred to Queen’s Park Rangers for a £35,000 fee.
Helping Rangers to runner’s-up spot in the First Division in 1975-76, he was released in 1981 after 180 League matches at Loftus Road and joined Albion on their pre-season tour of the Netherlands Proving a more-than- adequate replacement for the departed John Gregory, Don was quickly signed on a free transfer by manager Mike Bailey and went on to make 42 League and Cup appearances in the ensuing 1981-82 season, playing consistently well as Albion tightened up their First Division defence considerably to finish a respectable thirteenth.
He appeared in twelve matches during the early part of 1982-83, but was dropped by Jimmy Melia and George Aitken in favour of Chris Ramsey when Bailey was dismissed in December 1982 and soon left for the Eastern club in Hong Kong.
On returning to the U.K, Don joined Wimbledon on a non-contract basis and made one Third Division appearance in 1983-84 before leaving to play and coach in the United States.