Sidebar

28
Thu, Mar
28 New Articles

Typography

Shaka Hislop has only to nod his head to line up some exotic plane trips with Trinidad.

His parents are both from the West Indies. And even though he was born in London, the 6ft 4in Newcastle United goalkeeper is eligible to play for the island of his parents' birth.

But Shaka, 28, has put his international ambitions on ice to secure his Premiership future with Newcastle.

He doesn't have to rush now because Trinidad have failed to reach the World Cup finals in France next year.

But the giant keeper admits he would be foolish not to give the situation serious thought. After all, the chance to play in the 2002 World Cup isn't to be sneezed at.

Kevin Keegan signed Shaka for pounds 1.6million on the understanding that he would not play for the West Indies.

The former Reading keeper even changed his nationality to English to play in Europe without the complication of the three-foreigner rule then in force.

And little over a year ago, he was seen by many as England's No.3. That was before he found himself stuck as Pavel Srnicek's deputy, a situation he reversed only at the end of last year.

Now his attention is focused on holding down a place at St James's Park after seeing off the challenge of his transfer-listed rival.

Hislop, who grew up with Aston Villa's Dwight Yorke in the Caribbean, played for Trinidad Youth as a kid and still has strong ties with the place.

His first name is Neil but he prefers Shaka, his middle name, because it stems from a famous Zulu warrior buried deep in the early 19th century history of Africa.

The original Shaka managed to build an empire but Newcastle's mild-mannered goalkeeper just wants to be king of his own penalty area.

Explaining his double-country dilemma, he said: "Kevin didn't want me to be classed as a foreigner because, in 1995, that could have restricted my first-team appearances.

"All that has changed, of course, because of Bosman. But it doesn't mean I'm going to rush to play for Trinidad.

"Naturally, I'm interested, and I would seriously consider doing it. But it has gone on the back burner because we have already failed to qualify for France and I don't rate the Caribbean Cup too highly.

"I have a British passport and Trinidadian parents, so I can choose freely.

"It's something for the future and I'll certainly keep it in mind. To play in the World Cup finals for the country of my origin would be a tremendous experience."

Hislop loved his time in the West Indies and met his wife-to-be Desha at Howard University in Washington DC.

He did not know that she was the niece of his dad's best friend back home.

The future again looks rosy for the likeable family man on both club and country fronts. He is so committed to Newcastle that he has even had his kitchen painted black and white.

And he can number Drew Beardsley among his fan club, as well as Drew's dad Peter.

Beardsley says: "It has not been easy for Shaka since he joined Newcastle from Reading but he has shown patience and determination. He's proved he's a top-class keeper."