Stoke City Skeels was born in
Eccles,
Lancashire and played with in the youth side of local club
Stockport County. Playing as an inside-forward for County's Central League side, he attracted the attention of
Birmingham City. He played five
Third Division matches for the "Valiants" in the
1976–77 season, scoring once against
Walsall. He then became the owner of the Hare and Hound
pub in
Glossop whilst making the occasional appearance for
Leek Town. He returned to the Potteries to keep the Noah's Ark in
Newcastle-under-Lyme and has also worked at
Staffordshire University as a
Porter. ==Career statistics==