Wilshaw joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 1944 after being spotted playing for Packmoor Boys' Club in his youth where he scored 10 goals in a 16–0 win. The war made guesting a common occurrence and so he played a game for Port Vale on 5 May 1945, a 6–0 Potteries derby thumping at the Victoria Ground. He began guesting at Harry Hibbs's Walsall and had an extended loan spell at the Third Division South side, making 82 appearances, scoring 31 goals, before returning to top flight Wolves in September 1948. He built an effective partnership with Doug Lishman. During this time he also continued his education to become a qualified teacher. He finished as the "Saddlers" top-scorer in 1946–47 with 21 goals in 39 games. He hit nine goals in 40 appearances in 1947–48, and also appeared at Fellows Park in the first few games of the 1948–49 campaign.