Name: Ricky Shakes.
Position: Forward.
Club: Free Agent.
Previous Club: Bolton Wanderers (England), Bristol Rovers (England, Loaned from Feb-15-2005 - Mar-15-2005), Bury FC (England, Loaned from April-2005 to June-30-2005), Swindon Town (01-July-2005 to July-2007), Brentford FC (31-Aug-2007 to 08-May-2008).
DOB: 25-Jan-1985.
Born: Brixton (England).
T&T Debut: vs Iceland on February 28th 2006, T&T won 2-0. Shakes was a second half sub' for Carlos Edwards.
NOTE: Ricky Shakes is a young English born striker who began his playing career with the Charlton Athletic Academy before moving to Bolton in the summer of 2001. He was drafted into Bolton Wanderers 2004 squad for the FA Cup third replay at home to Tranmere, making a big impression when he scored a late equaliser after coming off the bench in the 86th minute. The young striker has indicated a willingness to play for the “Soca Warriors” and is also eligible to play for both the Under 20 T&T and Senior teams. Shakes’ mother is Trinidadian and his eligibility was first brought to the attention to the TTFF by Coventry City striker Stern John. Shakes has also been described as a utility player, capable of playing in midfield and defense.

Beenhakker looks at Ricky Shakes.

The Swindon Advertiser.
19-Dec-2005 - Trinidad and Tobago coach Leo Beenhakker ran the rule over Ricky Shakes at the County Ground on Saturday just seven days after the youngster had made the plea to be spied on by his country.
The Trinidad boss was among the spectators for the Seasiders clash and saw Shakes add a little extra spark to Town’s performance when it was badly needed.
Manager Iffy Onuora admitted that it had been a ‘close call’ as to whether Shakes started or not but that he felt made the most of his half-hour outing, the player replacing Neale McDermott.
He said: “Shakesy came on and did well.”
Deputy chairman Mark Devlin confirmed that Beenhakker had been at the ground, a fact he only confirmed after a friend pointed out that someone in the crowd ‘looked like’ the Trinidad coach.
He said: “I went downstairs to look at the list of those who had asked for tickets and there he was.
“Hopefully he was impressed with what he saw of Ricky.”
Beenhakker was one of 5,766 spectators for a match that saw Town reduce ticket prices on a Saturday that traditionally sees poor attendances up and down the country.
Although the gate fell just short of the six thousand Devlin had been hoping for, he said the directors still felt encouraged by the response/turnout.
He said: “I think we had anticipated something around 4,500 to 4,800 had we not had some kind of incentive so it was quite pleasing to almost hit the 6,000 mark.
“It gives us food for thought in terms repeating the exercise later in the season and I believe it is worth repeating.
“It’s something to sit down and talk about as a board of directors.”

Q&A with Ricky Shakes.

By Nick Judd (Swindon Town FC).
11-Sept-2005 - It's no surprise to find Ricky Shakes in good form when we meet. The Brixton-born midfielder has become a regular in Andy King's first team, while fans recently voted him the club's best new summer signing in a local newspaper poll.
Shakes' defection to SN1 from the Reebok Stadium has certainly been a successful one so far. The youngster joined along with Charlie Comyn-Platt in the summer after opportunities under Big Sam Allardyce were limited, that despite Shakes making his first team debut and scoring against Tranmere Rovers in an FA Cup third round defeat last year.
Starting life at Charlton Athletics's academy Shakes was tipped for big things in Bolton. Unfortunately his route to the top was blocked despite some impressive performances in the Trotters' reserve team, but he has since made the right-hand side of midfield his mown since joining the Robins. Not only that, but an international call-up could be on the cards, Coventry City striker Stern John recommending our Ricky to the Trinidad & Tobago management team. Great Shakes indeed

As someone that supplies crosses, do you feel under pressure to supply good quality balls when there's only one striker to aim for?
There's definitely more pressure on the wide men to get pinpoint balls in. But don't forget, playing with five in midfield you have the opposite wide man coming in from the wing, albeit later than the forward. But yes, to cross, often with your first touch and with just one target to aim for, it's hard.

When you outplay sides and then see them in the top six, does that frustrate you or spur you on - do you think our luck will change?
Walsall are now up there and they weren't that good. Even Tranmere; you expect them to be up there but in the first 10-15 minutes against them we had so many chances you thought, 'We should be beating this lot'. It's just not happening, but it will - but it is frustrating looking at the table as it is because the teams up at the top are not better than us.

You started to make the right-hand side of midfield your own, you must be pleased with how it's gone since you joined the club?
I think I've started okay. I came here to play first team games and I'm just happy to be doing that.

The fans seem to agree; did you know you've recently topped a poll of the club's most promising new signings? That must be a great confidence booster?
I didn't know that, but yeah, that feels nice - I'm chuffed!

You've recently had Andy Gurney slot in behind you in the right-back position, what has he brought to the side and to your game in particular?
He's topped up my confidence. He's done really well for me, keeping me going, encouraging me and telling me to be positive - it's great.

We know the Gaffer is good mates with Sam Allardyce, is that how your move came about, or did he spot you in a reserve game?
I think Sam told the Gaffer about me, that I was available and he invited me down for the last reserve game of last season. Unfortunately he wasn't here for the game, but Reevesy gave me a good report and here I am.

And how much help was it to have Bolton team-mate Charlie (Comyn-Platt) join as well - how have you both settled in to the area?
Knowing someone really helps you settle in, makes you feel more comfortable. I like to meet new people, but you can't underestimate what it's like having someone you know around. And for Charlie too, I'm sure it's helped him - he's moved here from Manchester, so it made sense we live together. It's been good fun so far.

Does it help being closer to your family in London too; you're a Brixton lad aren't you?
Yeah, my family come to watch me play and it helps.

Why do you think first team appearances weren't forthcoming at Bolton?
I thought I had a chance; it just didn't work out for me. But here at Swindon I've got the chance to show people what I've got and I intend to do that.

After scoring against Tranmere in an FA Cup game, did you think there was a chance you might make it at the Reebok?
I did, but then we lost the game and I always thought that if we'd won it, it would have looked a lot better. It certainly lowered my chances being part of a losing team.

And what's Bolton's secret - people are surprised by the success Big Sam has achieved in the last few years?
The team have bonded well; everyone gets on. Not only that but there are loads of staff members as well. There are loads of people there to help the players - there are even three or four physios! It's a big team, a big family and there are always people to talk to. There's a good vibe there.

How do you think they'll get on in Europe this year?
They'll do okay. It's an achievement in itself getting there, but they'll be okay.

You've been on loan twice before (with Bristol Rovers and Bury) and sampled Nationwide football, what did you learn from those experiences?
They were both good experiences, although I played more at Bury and scored a couple of goals. I learned a lot from both experiences.

Are you looking to score goals this year and have you set yourself a target? You scored a hat-trick against Cheltenham in the reserves in quick time this year.
I would like to score a few more, yes.

I've been told to ask you about attending Notting Hill carnival as carnival king for someone? Please explain!
I've played in a band every year at the carnival and played in the king's section, the bit that leads the band. They wanted me to play again this year and it was the first year I've missed it [because of the Tranmere game]. The guys were okay about it, they know my life's football and they were pleased I was playing.

Finally, I read in the Trinidad and Tobago Express that you could be in line for a call-up to the under 20's. Tell us a bit about that.
That's for the future. I have spoken to them, but I think they were waiting for the season to start at the time, I spoke to them towards the back end of last season. Now that we're under way and I'm playing, I hope I can do enough to get a call up.

King moves to tie-up first summer signing Ricky Shakes.

Swindon Town FC.
15-Jun-2005 - Swindon Town Manager Andy King has moved to secure his first new signing of the summer, having agreed a deal with Bolton Wanderers midfielder Ricky Shakes.
The Town Boss has held talks with the player, who can also operate up front, and he will join Swindon Town on July 1st.
"I met Shakes at the New Zealand vs Australia game and we had a conversation. His agent is a good friend of mine, Tommy Langley. We have an agreement that he will be joining us for pre-season training on July 1st.
"He played for the reserves at the end of last season and did well and he is someone who I have been after for a little while. He did well when he was on loan at Bury last season and can also play out wide or up front, so could be a good addition for us," said King.

Bury FC wants to keep Ricky Shakes.

11-May-2005 - Bury manager Graham Barrow has revealed he will offer Ricky Shakes a contract if the striker decides to stay in the north.
The 20-year-old, who ended the season with a loan spell at Gigg Lane, has been told he can leave Bolton and had a trial at Swindon earlier this week.
Barrow accepts the young striker, who has become a firm favourite with players and supporters alike, may want to move closer to home but has urged him to join the Shakers.
"There is always a chance," Barrow said. "Swindon are also interested in him now and he's from London so he may want to move closer to home and that could be a stumbling block.
"But I would definitely offer him something. He's become a fans favourite, he's popular with the players and he's a decent kid.
"He may want to be near home but when you're managing young lads you have to understand them and he should think about his career and where he will get games."

Ricky Shakes I would love to stay at Bury.

Bury FC.
10-Apr-2005 - Ricky Shakes chats to Shakers World following his first ever league goal. "It was definitely a tough game for us, Kidderminster were well up for it and we had to be spot on throughout the game."
"That was my first league goal, and I'm really pleased and excited about that.It was really our last chance of getting anything from the game and I just thought I'd stay in the box, normally I am on the edge, but I stayed there.I saw all the players go forward, I drifted back a little and saw the ball coming towards me."
"It cam straight at me and I got my head onto it and see where it goes, I have to admit though, I did close my eyes."
"It was a very physical game and Kidderminster were up for the scrap and it was tough for us.I came on for Colin and the gaffer had told me that I would be getting a game at some point."
"It was just a case of waiting for it to happen, I knew I was coming on, but I never expected to come on and score a goal."
"Bury supporters don't normally like Bolton players, but I may become a little exception to the rule, I'll even change my name for them if they want and add a letter R at the end."
"I'm out of contract at the end of the season. I don't know the situation with me at Bolton at the moment, I'm here at Bury until the end of the season and we will see what happens after that."
"Bolton will tell me what's going to happen at the end of the season, but we will wait and see what the gaffer says here at Bury, and if I got the opportunity I would love to stay at Bury, they are a good set of players and a good manager, I cant go wrong here."

Ricky Shakes heads back to Bolton.

Bristol Rovers FC.
14-Mar-2005 - Ricky Shakes has today returned to Premiership club Bolton Wanderers after his one-month loan deal at the Memorial Stadium came to an end.
The speedy winger failed to win a place in the Pirates starting eleven during his time in the West Country, and moves back to the Reebok Stadium with little more than half-an-hour of first team football to show for his time at the club.
Manager Ian Atkins says he will keep an open mind about the availability of Shakes for next season, but admits that whether he ever returns to Rovers will depend largely on Bolton.
"Ricky is going back to Bolton today but that doesn't necessarily mean that's the end of him at Bristol Rovers," Ian told bristolrovers.co.uk, "We have to find out what they want to do with him next season and whether they are going to exercise the option on his contract."
Shakes came off the bench to feature as a substitute on just two occasions - the 2-1 league loss at Macclesfield Town, and the 2-2 LDV Vans Trophy draw with Southend United last week.

Ricky Shakes adapting to atmosphere.

T&T Newsday Reports.
24-Dec-2004 - English-born footballer Ricky Shakes is slowly adapting to the heat and cultural style of Trinidad and Tobago, as he seeks to stake his claim for inclusion in both the national senior and Under-20 teams. The senior outfit is preparing for the CONCACAF World Cup Final Round campaign while the Under-20s are fine-tuning their skills ahead of the CONCACAF Final Round qualifiers next month. The Bolton Wanderers’ utility player admitted that the players on both clubs showed no malevolence towards him since he arrived in Trinidad Friday last. “I think they’ve accepted me quite well really, considering that I’m a foreigner,” said the 19-year-old on Tuesday, during an Under-20 training session at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. “They made me feel welcomed, both teams - the seniors and the Under-20s, they made me feel welcomed coming here.”
Shakes, who also received his Trinidad and Tobago passport on Tuesday, noted that both coaches - Bertille St Clair (seniors) and Anton Corneal (Under-20s) are trying to see which position(s) he can fit into the respective sides. “In the seniors, the coach played me in a game. They knew I played striker so that’s why they (TT coaching staff) put me there,” acknowledged Shakes. “In the Under-20s, I played striker (on Monday) and (Tuesday) they wanted so see how I played right-wing and centre midfield because they heard I can play all-round.” He also added that English-based strikers Dwight Yorke (Birmingham City) and Stern John (Coventry City) were instrumental in his decision to train with the local squad.
“When I was in England, I played against Dwight Yorke in the reserve (leagues) and I had a talk with him,” confessed Shakes. “My (mom) is a Trinidadian and I said ‘I want to play for them’. So he said ‘yeah they’re looking for some young (players) and you should just go ahead and try out’. Shakes continued, “So my mom (Leonora) contacted Stern John and told him about (me) and he got on to the (Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation) and said ‘look at this player’. Concerning the contrasting climatic conditions, from the cold in England to the warmth in the Caribbean, the utility player noted, “it’s hot up here, I’m trying to adapt to it. It’s quite hard for me really.” He is yet to play a Premier League game for his club and is looking to get a loan to play in a club, preferably at the lower divisions. Shakes trained with the senior squad yesterday at the Ato Boldon Stadium before returning home last night.

Ricky Shakes gets his T&T passport.

Issued By: Shaun Fuentes, TTFF Media Officer.
21-Dec-2004 - Trinidad and Tobago can now have the services of English-born Bolton Wanderers striker Ricky Shakes after the player was granted his Trinidad and Tobago passport on Tuesday.
Shakes arrived here last Friday and has trained with the Senior and Under 20 teams before the efforts of Minister of National Security Senator Martin Joseph followed in getting Shakes his T&T passport.
FIFA Vice President and Special Adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation Jack Warner thanked Joseph for his input, adding that he hopes that the application for Brazilian-born player Jose Luis Seabra for citizenship will also be dealt with similarly.
“On behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation and on my own behalf, in my capacity as Special Adviser, I do hereby wish to thank Senator Martin Joseph, Minister of National Security, in particular, and the Trinidad and Tobago Government, in general, for having issued a Trinidad and Tobago passport to Mr Shakes today. He is therefore now eligible to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the World Cup senior and under 20 level, with immediate effect,” Warner stated.
“It is my hope that the application for Mr Jose Luis Seabra for citizenship will be dealt with expeditiously as well, in the interest of football in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Having arrived from FIFA meetings in Zurich only last night, news of the outcome of Mr Shakes’ application reached me upon my return today from the rainbow funeral of Mr Peter Stone. He was truly a friend of football. Mr Stone helped people from all walks of life and it is my hope that more of our citizens would try to emulate his example not only at this time of year but in their daily lives,” Warner added.
Shakes’ mother Leonora, who also received her T&T passport and now lives in London, met with Warner on Tuesday evening but the player was unable to as he was in training with the National Under 20 team at the Ato Boldon Stadium and he will train with the Senior Team at the same venue on Wednesday morning before departing for London in the evening.
”I am very pleased that he got his passport and can now help Trinidad and Tobago in their football. I know for sure he will be looking forward to just giving his best efforts on the football field for the country. I haven’t been here in six years and I never thought we would get the chance to come home through football. I always knew he wanted to play because since the age of nine he had been saying ‘Mom you know one day I would like the chance to play for Trinidad and Tobago.’ Now he finally has gotten that chance and we are truly delighted about that. We would also want to thank the football authorities for their appreciation and assistance they have given to us,” Shakes’ mother Leonora said. Shakes too was thrilled to have his T&T passport.
“I think it’s the first step to a lot of other better things to follow hopefully and it’s in a way a very important Christmas present for me as well. So once I can get into the team and make a valuable contribution then I’ll be even more pleased,” Shakes told TTFF Media.
In related news, Ricky Shakes is in his final season with Bolton Wanderers and is hoping that he will be kept on at the club having been there for the past four years.
The English-born striker who returns to London today after training with the national senior and Under 20 teams over the weekend, has the option to extend his stay at Bolton, but is not counting out the possibility of a move. For him though, remaining with the Premiership side is a first preference. “The club has been very good to me and that’s where I’ve been at for the past four years,”Shake said.
About his experience playing with the likes of Nigerian midfielder Jay Jay Okocha and Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf Shakes added: It’s quite an experience playing with these guys because even though I’m not playing regularly with the first team, they also play a lot of Reserve football so I’m always learning from them.” He added that Bolton manager Sam Allardyce had no problem with him flying out to try out with the T&T team.
“They were actually quite up for it when I told them the chance came up for me. I think too that they would be happy if I can get into the team because they know how much it would be an honour for me so hopefully things will work out well,” Shakes ended.

Ricky Shakes has first run out with ‘Soca Warriors’

Issued By: Shaun Fuentes, TTFF Media.
18-Dec-2004 - Bolton Wanderers forward Ricky Shakes had his first run out with the Trinidad and Tobago senior team on Saturday morning as the “Soca Warriors” underwent their final session before Sunday’s return leg Digicel Caribbean Cup encounter with British Virgin Islands (BVI) at the Marvin Lee Stadium from 4:30pm.
Shakes arrived here from London on Friday night and will return next Wednesday. During his time here, he will also train with the National Under 20 team which he is expected to join for the CONCACAF qualifying final round next month in California, United States.
“He seems to have the right attitude based on what we saw out there this morning and we appreciate him coming this far to train with us,” coach Bertille St Clair told TTFF Media after the session.
“The guys also welcomed him and that’s one of the outstanding things about the team where the mood is always a good one. It was the same when they welcomed Seabra from Brazil. He (Shakes) also has good composure which we recognized when we were doing one on ones,” St Clair added.
Shakes said that he had no problems training under the sweltering heat on Saturday morning.
“This was my first session with the team and it went quite good actually. I got used to the weather because it’s my second time here,” Shakes told TTFF Media.
“The lads welcomed me and I’ve already fitted in with the team. The session was quite similar to what we do back in England so it wasn’t anything too new for me.”
The London resident added that he was in fact given some go ahead advice by Dwight Yorke when he mentioned to him earlier this year that he was eligible and interested in representing T&T.
“It is a very exciting period for me and I am hoping I will be selected to play for the country which my mom Leonora comes from. She’s actually from Laventille. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time now and I decided that I had to do something about it. I got the experience playing while living in England all my life and I thought that I should now go and try to play for Trinidad and Tobago which indeed would be a big honour for me,”
“I think the chances of the country getting to the World Cup are quite good and again hopefully I’ll be able to be part of the experience.”
Shakes recalled his conversation with Yorke:: “I met Dwight when we played against Blackburn in a Reserve Game and I told him that I was interested in playing for Trinidad. He insisted that it would be good for them to have me because he spoke about the country needing the players.”

Bolton Wanderers player to join ‘Soca Warriors’

Issued By: Shaun Fuentes, TTFF Press Officer.
15-Dec-2004 - Trinidad and Tobago may soon have a newly discovered English-born Premiership playing for its National Football Teams.
Ricky Shakes, a 19-year-old striker of Bolton Wanderers has indicated a willingness to play for the “Soca Warriors” and could be in this country by the coming weekend as he is also eligible to play for the country’s Under 20 team. TTFF special adviser Jack Warner is finalizing arrangements to get the player here in the quickest possible time.
Shakes’ mother is Trinidadian and his eligibility was first brought to the attention of the TTFF by Coventry City striker Stern John who had been in contact with Shakes’ family recently. He began his playing career with the Charlton Athletic Academy before moving to Bolton in the summer of 2001. Shakes, born in Brixton, has since broken into the Premiership first team, making his debut in January 2004, coming off the bench to score in an FA Cup third round replay against Tranmere Rovers. He is also currently the youngest player on the Bolton team that includes Senegal striker El-Hadji Diouf, England striker Les Ferdinand, Nigerian midfielder Jay Jay Okocha and Jamaican midfielder Ricardo Gardner. Aside from the first team, he is a regular starter with the Bolton Reserves.
Shakes has also been described as a utility player, capable of playing in midfield and defense.
A senior T&T team official said that constant networking in the United Kingdom and Unites States has resulted in the discovery of players such as Shakes, Andre Boucaud, Ian Cox and Bobby Zamora.
"We have set up an extensive network in the United Kingdom and the US to identify and monitor any player who may be eligible to play for T&T. Part of our network includes people like Ronnie Mauge, Graham Taylor and senior players like Stern John who brought Ricky Shakes to our attention. In the US people like Alvin Corneal have given us important advice on players.” he told TTFF Media.
“You will recall that the Coach made it very clear from the beginning that he was opening up the team to anybody with a Trinidad and Tobago passport .We have since developed a comprehensive data-base and we have investigated many players in accordance with the Coach's policy.”
He explained that because of T&T laws though, some players like Wigan Athletic striker Nathan Ellington and Hibernian midfielder Craig Rocastle are ineligible.
“Some like Andre Boucaud are eligible while others are not. While FIFA accepts someone using their grandparents to obtain the citizenship of a country, the laws in each country ultimately determines who can become a citizen. Trinidad and Tobago law only recognizes parents, not grandparents. In some countries the laws are different and citizenship is easily available for persons who can contribute to national progress in whatever field. We are hoping the application for citizenship from Jose Lusis Seabra who has been living here for just under five years will be seen in this light, as assisting in a national effort.
We are a small country with just over a million people and we have to compete against countries that have hundreds of millions to choose from. We have to use every advantage we can at times,” the official added.

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