Raised in the East End of London, Shaka Hislop learned his trade in the US college system before joining Reading in 1992. Newcastle paid £1.75 million in 1995 – a British record fee for a keeper at the time – to take him to St James’ Park.
Shaka has since had two spells at West Ham either side of a two-year stint with Portsmouth, playing a key role in the side that won promotion to the Premiership.
Had things worked out differently, Hislop could be lining up against Trinidad & Tobago in the 2006 World Cup Finals; he played in an England ‘B’ international against Switzerland in 1998 under Glenn Hoddle. Now Shaka plays across the pond for FC Dallas where soccer is starting to grip the nation since the arrival of a certain Mr Beckham.
Shaka Hislop talks to theglovebag.com
What was your most exciting game you ever played for Trinidad and Tobago?
Shaka – The most exciting game I played for T&T was without doubt our opening game in the 2006 World Cup against Sweden. We are under pressure from the first whistle. Sweden were expected to defeat us quite heavily, which seemed even more likely when we had a man sent off in the 46th minute. But we held on, amazingly. We proved a lot to each other and ourselves that day. We made a few friends and fans along the way too!
What was your most difficult game for Trinidad and Tobago?
Shaka – I can think of a few. Either of the two games I played in Germany 2006, Sweden and England, were extremely difficult because of the expectations, the atmosphere, because of everything that make every World Cup special. There was also that game back in 2001, away to Honduras. One of my teammates and close friends, Mickey Trotman, died on his return home to prepare for that very game. Incidents like that really have a way of putting things in perspective.
Who do you admire the most on the Trinidad and Tobago team as a player, on and off the field?
Shaka – That’s a hard question. Players have their good and bad attributes. The players that immediately spring to mind are Stern John, for his professional commitment, Tony Rougier, for his overall commitment to the game, his family, and his beliefs, Marvin Andrews, for his commitment to the game, his faith and his non-stop efforts in trying to make a difference. But in the end I would have to say my long time friend Dwight Yorke. His achievements in the game are almost unrivalled, he captained Trinidad and Tobago with pride, and somehow managed to do it all with a smile on his face. People the world over will always remember that smile, and will always know that that is the way the game should be played.
Do you miss playing in the premiership?
Shaka – Yes without a doubt, it’s the best stage to play your football.
Do you enjoy being a goalkeeper?
Shaka. I’d prefer to play another position to be honest; there is simply no room for error as a keeper. I don’t have any regrets though.
If you could choose any club in the world to join, who would you choose to play for?
Real Madrid. They’re the biggest club in the world. Strangely I’m more a Barca fan than a Real fan.
Who is your favourite player in the world?
Shaka – Zidane. He was the complete player, and an absolute joy to watch even in the dullest of games.
Having played in the US in the early part of your career then returned have you seen a difference in the quality of the football?
Shaka – When I left (Washington, D.C.-based) Howard University in 1992, there was no top American league. The standard has improved immensely since then. You can see that by the USA regularly qualifying for the World Cup, and also by the number of American players contributing to clubs throughout Europe. The MSL is a fantastic place to play. The club has a great set-up and dedicated fans, and that bodes well for the future of the sport in America.
You had two spells with West Ham, like their football?
Shaka – The club has a specific tradition of playing good football, and the supporters won’t settle for anything less. They won’t condone long ball tactics, even if it means sacrificing results. As a player if you can accept that, you will get on well with the West Ham crowd. I prefer playing in front of a team that is committed to playing the West Ham way, which makes a pledge to be exciting and play the ball on the floor, even if it means you get beaten four-nil on occasion, well, that comes with the territory.
How was Alan Pardew?
When I came back to Upton Park for my second go-round, everything had changed. Alan was much more scientific in his approach. He is very methodical and strategic. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at West Ham under both managers, and I learned a lot from them.
You had a great 2005/06 season ending up representing T&T in the World Cup Finals and West Ham in the FA Cup final. The FA final was a classic you must have though you had it in the bag?
Shaka – Oh, as the game goes on you start counting down the minutes, when we were winning 3-2, you could sense Liverpool were starting to tire. Both teams had started to cramp up. The players had given their all and had run out of steam. In the end, you resign yourself that it wasn’t meant to be, especially when we hit the post (through a Nigel Reo-Coker header) in extra time. I didn’t want to watch Liverpool accept the trophy, but I ended up looking on anyway. As strange as it sounds, watching them – not us – lift the Cup will be an image that stays with me for the rest of my life. It was surreal at the time.
That was to date your best season what gloves did you wear?
Shaka – Selsport’s Euro Wrap 6mf, I tried a pair from Kelvin Jack (Dundee & T&T) most comfortable gloves I’ve ever worn + I also really like the red tab on the wrist straps its raised and adds to how quickly I can adjust the strap. I used them in one game and haven’t gone back since. As for the grip the Euro Wrap has been reliable in the demands that I have put them under this allowed me to go into my games during that season feeling relaxed and confident.
What’s the biggest factor keepers should look for when choosing gloves?
Shaka – Comfort – I was taken back by the comfort of the gloves so much that I phoned up Selsport myself to ask if I could wear their gloves, no distractions then I can get on and play my game.
You mentioned the World Cup I remember you making some acrobatic saves against Sweden?
Shaka – It’s odd that our biggest footballing result as a nation is nil-nil, but it took a bit of the sting away from losing to the USA 1-nil in 1989, when we were one step away from qualifying for the 1990 World Cup.”
Reflections on playing against England?
Peter Crouch scored a controversial goal for England in the 83rd minute, and Steven Gerard popped up in injury time to get a second. We definitely gave the England team a couple of scares, and I thought we were a bit unlucky.
Shaka you have a wealth of Goalkeeping experience can you leave us with some tips?
Shaka¬ – As you get older, there are a lot of things you can’t do anymore. You have to adjust and stay calm without getting flustered. You send a message to the crowd and the opposition with your body language. You try to play on a striker’s mind. In a one-on-one situation or on a penalty, the pressure is on the attacker to score. If you make the save, it’s a bonus. If you go into a game with that mindset, you will survive the pressure of being a goalkeeper.
A huge thanks to Shaka Hislop for talking to us and to Selsport for arranging the interview.