Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum

Sports => Football => Topic started by: dinho on February 19, 2008, 04:03:25 PM

Title: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: dinho on February 19, 2008, 04:03:25 PM: Well yes...

ESPN classic showing the game now...

A Trini commentating champs league, this has to be a first..

Congrats Shaka!
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: Gladman on February 19, 2008, 04:12:03 PM: Yea 4 real jus watch d game and is after a while i say this voice sounding familiar. BIG UP to Shaka
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: dinho on February 19, 2008, 04:22:58 PM: Andre Baptiste, Alvin Corneal, Sedley Joseph and company should watch this to get a lesson on de rudiments of relaxed commentary...

Dem men does commentate like dey feel dey on de radio and you cyah see what going on..

"this is whitley... kicks it with his left foot to yorke.. who runs with the ball.. runs.. runs.. runs... runs... passes to edwards.. who collects..."
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: Grande on February 19, 2008, 04:29:51 PM: Quote from: omarldinho on February 19, 2008, 04:03:25 PM
Well yes...

ESPN classic showing the game now...

A Trini commentating champs league, this has to be a first..

Congrats Shaka!

Co-sign...well done Shaka
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: SUPA on February 19, 2008, 05:24:19 PM: Quote from: omarldinho on February 19, 2008, 04:03:25 PM
Well yes...

ESPN classic showing the game now...

A Trini commentating champs league, this has to be a first..

Congrats Shaka!

What? Doh make joke nah, well we lil flag really flying yes, give thanks and nuff blessings tuh we lil T&T. HIGHLY BLESSED.
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: Toppa on February 19, 2008, 05:39:00 PM: Quote from: omarldinho on February 19, 2008, 04:22:58 PM
Andre Baptiste, Alvin Corneal, Sedley Joseph and company should watch this to get a lesson on de rudiments of relaxed commentary...

Dem men does commentate like dey feel dey on de radio and you cyah see what going on..

"this is whitley... kicks it with his left foot to yorke.. who runs with the ball.. runs.. runs.. runs... runs... passes to edwards.. who collects..."

:D
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: kicker on February 19, 2008, 06:22:10 PM: Madrid hitting a bump in form (or at least results)......I think this is their 3rd loss in the last 4 games.
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: Bakes on February 19, 2008, 06:30:33 PM: Quote from: kicker on February 19, 2008, 06:22:10 PM
Madrid hitting a bump in form (or at least results)......I think this is their 3rd loss in the last 4 games.

Maybe they should Shaka tuh make some commentations fuh dem. gotta luv those college grads.

Toppa had de scoop btw...http://www.socawarriors.net/forum/index.php?topic=33968.msg396259#msg396259
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: supporter on February 19, 2008, 06:34:57 PM: Congrats Shaka!!
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: Big Magician on February 19, 2008, 06:49:24 PM: he still eh better than Ruskin Mark

there is only one Ruskin Mark....oh god BM
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: dinho on February 19, 2008, 06:49:53 PM: i thought Shaka did well today...

He was in the secondary, analyst type role like how Tommy Smith does conduct it weighing in with observations and tidbits while the main fellah handling de running commentary...

In the 2nd half seemed like he tail off a bit and had a lot less to say, i thought he couldve said a bit more..

what i like is that he wasn't compromising or freshwatering up the trini accent too much, but was speaking clearly and was eloquent as well..

I'm guessing this won't be a one-off since usually when ESPN brings people on board the football commentary team, they are assigned games in all the champions league rounds..

And to get Real Madrid v Roma means he's already on the second tier (First tier is Derek Rae, Tommy Smyth & co who did the Liverpool v Inter live game)..
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: palos on February 19, 2008, 07:31:53 PM: Quote from: Big Magician on February 19, 2008, 06:49:24 PM
he still eh better than Ruskin Mark

there is only one Ruskin Mark....oh god BM

:cursing: :cursing: :bs: :bs: 8)
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: Trini on February 19, 2008, 08:35:41 PM: ruskin mark is ole news, the new big man is anil roberts.

wait till espn hear him in action.

Imagine a commentator calling a player 'tall socks man' and going crazy on air evertime a man get a cap or a 9 months thru he legs.
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: Daft Trini on February 19, 2008, 09:30:42 PM: Big Up Shaka... was de only reason I tune into this game, because they both really going no where :devil:
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: Jefferz on February 19, 2008, 11:23:34 PM: Quote from: palos on February 19, 2008, 07:31:53 PM
Quote from: Big Magician on February 19, 2008, 06:49:24 PM
he still eh better than Ruskin Mark

there is only one Ruskin Mark....oh god BM

:cursing: :cursing: :bs: :bs: 8)

common palos yuh know it hard to resist far less find anything to compare to the surging feeling of home when yuh tun on ah local television tuh hear the explosive fusion of enthusiasm and conviction when ruskin mark opens his mouth to commentate on ah good old T&T qualifier.

really, he should be the poster boy for valium.
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: boss on February 20, 2008, 06:36:38 AM: Well done Shaka! Didn't see it (any youtube clips?) but he was excellent in the "studio analyst" role on Match of the Day in the UK a few years ago, and it's no surprise that he made the switch to commentary without a problem. Shaka is 100% class :beermug:

Don't forget Corneal: "Not a particularly good ball there..."
or
Dave Lamy: " And Argentina have the ball...now it goes to Gabriel Batis...tu....Batis....and he gives the ball away.."
or
Ashford Jackman: "Maradooona shows his skill there"
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: Bakes on February 20, 2008, 06:40:55 AM: Quote from: boss on February 20, 2008, 06:36:38 AM
Well done Shaka! Didn't see it (any youtube clips?) but he was excellent in the "studio analyst" role on Match of the Day in the UK a few years ago, and it's no surprise that he made the switch to commentary without a problem. Shaka is 100% class :beermug:

Don't forget Corneal: "Not a particularly good ball there..."
or
Dave Lamy: " And Argentina have the ball...now it goes to Gabriel Batis...tu....Batis....and he gives the ball away.."
or
Ashford Jackman: "Maradooona shows his skill there"

Not a fair comparison...play by play is harder than analysis because rather than offer insight into the game, the play by play man must be possessed with verbal spontaneity a descriptive mind and clarity of both thought and speech. Not as easy as it sounds, but them fellas did the best they could I guess. Shaka was good and it would be nice to see him get in on the regular rotation.
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: weary1969 on February 21, 2008, 11:30:10 AM: Nice goin Mr. Prezident
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: Brownsugar on February 21, 2008, 01:01:42 PM: Quote from: boss on February 20, 2008, 06:36:38 AM
Don't forget Corneal: "Not a particularly good ball there..."

Nah, nah, Boss....Corneal classic of all time have to be...when Tallest score what turn out to be we ticket to Germany....people going mad when he score and all Corneal could muster in the most dullest manner was...

".....and there it is....in the right place, at the right time".... ::)......

is bess he did go and commentate for de race between de Tortoise and de Hare.....chuuppsss...
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: Tallman on February 24, 2008, 11:14:43 AM: Ah guess not everybody was impressed:

Quote
Shaka Hislop is quite simply dreadful and drums up about as much excitement as a stamp collectors' meeting. In addition to this his voice has a murky, monotone quality which means that much of the time it is very hard to make out what he is saying.
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?p=10156896
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: boss on February 24, 2008, 01:18:57 PM: Quote
And bobbity, haven't heard much of Shaka. Seen him once or twice on Press Pass and he was fairly average. Comes across as a typical laid-back Jamaican...which is bad really, because he doesn't have much of a personality.

Geographically illiterate jack*ss... :beermug:
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: dinho on March 06, 2008, 09:55:15 AM: Well Shaka didnt do too bad again but if i have to level one piece of criticism, i find he need to pick up the intensity ah notch...

sometimes yuh have some serious goalmouth action but he dampening de proceedings lil bit with de nonchalance and he voice done lil deep already.. He need to be a lil more hype..

cmon shaka, let de fan in you express itself ah lil more..
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: Observer on March 06, 2008, 12:32:42 PM: Even if Shaka was to remain dumb he would be better than Tommy Shit ah mean Smith. ;D

Well done Shaka
Title: Re: Shaka commentating de Real Madrid v Roma game on ESPN
Post by: D.H.W on March 06, 2008, 01:20:07 PM: stueps fack dem assholes if he was shitty he would not have gotten the job, in life not everybody will like you, good job shaka keep up the good work.
Title: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: amielisadore on April 21, 2014, 01:55:06 PM: SHARKS SIGN SHAKA....read more about it in the new issue of THE SHARK; Central FC's online magazine http://issuu.com/central.fc/docs/the_shark-_volume_6

Mods merge when ready
Title: Re: Sharks Sign Shaka
Post by: Tiresais on April 21, 2014, 03:30:30 PM: Hah nice, you made me all excited to see him play :p
Title: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: rotatopoti3 on May 11, 2014, 04:38:17 AM: Calling Shaka Hislop!

Come nah man...yuh doing yuhself ah disservice man.....

Iz not like you hand tuh mouth.....

How hard is it for your tuh wear ah pair of dress shoes?? Ok well whatever yuh excuse is...why not sit in d middle so we didnt have tuh see yuh washykongs....

I expect better....

http://www.espnfc.com/video/espnfc/video/_/id/1814757/league/featured?cc=4716
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: Deeks on May 11, 2014, 06:41:17 AM: What! Rotatopoti! whey you hiding? Ganja legal now, Breds!!!!
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: Tenorsaw on May 12, 2014, 08:57:22 AM: Saw it and it ran across my mind that Shaka looked a bit under-dressed, compared to Tommy Smyth and company. Believe it or not though, Shaka is growing into a household name for soccer analysis. I think ESPN is doing a good job keeping that team together....a good mix of notable former players and longstanding pundits.
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: elan on May 12, 2014, 09:52:48 AM: Everyone dress comfortable. Nothing wrong with Shaka kit.
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: soccerman on May 12, 2014, 10:41:35 AM: I watch that program a lot and for the most part they tend to be semi-casual in their attire, especially the younger analyst like Shaka and Taylor Twellman. Now had he worn a loafers he would've been able to pull off the no socks much better but Shaka understands the culture and knows how to dress accordingly.
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: asylumseeker on May 12, 2014, 12:53:15 PM: Much ado about nutten ...
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: Bakes on May 12, 2014, 12:54:21 PM: Quote from: elan on May 12, 2014, 09:52:48 AM
Everyone dress comfortable. Nothing wrong with Shaka kit.

Shaka does tend to stand out as appearing too casual, but for the most part I think he's fine, especially since it appears that he's wearing jeans. The no socks thing is what making it look bad... pants need to cover that up.
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: elan on May 12, 2014, 01:23:34 PM: Quote from: Bakes on May 12, 2014, 12:54:21 PM
Quote from: elan on May 12, 2014, 09:52:48 AM
Everyone dress comfortable. Nothing wrong with Shaka kit.

Shaka does tend to stand out as appearing too casual, but for the most part I think he's fine, especially since it appears that he's wearing jeans. The no socks thing is what making it look bad... pants need to cover that up.

That's the style though. Why would you wear longer pants to cover it up. He probably have on those lil slip on socks
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: Bakes on May 12, 2014, 01:41:32 PM: Quote from: elan on May 12, 2014, 01:23:34 PM
That's the style though. Why would you wear longer pants to cover it up. He probably have on those lil slip on socks

You'd cover it up because you're going on national TV and appearing before a possible international audience, in an official capacity for your employer. But that's a personal style preference and I'm offering my personal take on it. If his employer doesn't mind and he's fine with it, then no harm no foul.
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: FF on May 12, 2014, 01:51:59 PM: I ent know we have so much fashion plate in here...
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: soccerman on May 12, 2014, 02:27:54 PM: Quote from: FF on May 12, 2014, 01:51:59 PM
I ent know we have so much fashion plate in here...
How you mean, Russell Wesbrook does link me for tips
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: soccerman on May 12, 2014, 06:47:49 PM: Shaka need to fold the bottom of his pants to rock the no sock like this
(http://larrybrownsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/dwyane-wade-overalls.jpg)

Or simply he could simply wear pants like this ;D
(http://beyondprintmag.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/russ.jpg?w=700&h=)
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: Dinner Mints on May 12, 2014, 07:27:26 PM: Man real outta style in here, boy.
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: asylumseeker on May 12, 2014, 07:42:26 PM: Like allyuh eh get de washikong memo. Yuh could rock that on TV. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp1bZtNSifM)
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: Peong on May 13, 2014, 12:45:01 PM: Quote from: asylumseeker on May 12, 2014, 07:42:26 PM
Like allyuh eh get de washikong memo. Yuh could rock that on TV. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp1bZtNSifM)

It have washikongs in that vid? All I seein is meat and ah hungry now.
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: fari on May 13, 2014, 01:11:04 PM: Quote from: Dinner Mints on May 12, 2014, 07:27:26 PM
Man real outta style in here, boy.

;D
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: zuluwarrior on May 13, 2014, 01:56:42 PM: Trini is so corrupted everything is a coverup .I wonder if the people on the panel was thinking what we thinking.
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: Mad Scorpion a/k/a Big Bo$$ on May 14, 2014, 09:27:43 AM: Fuh de love of God allyuh serious wid dis bullshite?!! Nutten eh look bad dey from a TV viewing standpoint because is not a main focus of the camera at any point. Man could rell nitpick jedd.
Title: Re: Calling Shaka Hislop!
Post by: rickstaa on May 14, 2014, 09:54:34 AM: Quote from: fari on May 13, 2014, 01:11:04 PM
Quote from: Dinner Mints on May 12, 2014, 07:27:26 PM
Man real outta style in here, boy.

;D
for real,look like a lot of old men on this forum lol
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: asylumseeker on July 08, 2015, 04:37:17 PM: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3153393/Shaka-Hislop-jokes-son-adoption-following-Steven-Gerrard-comment.html
Title: Hislop: Sports has the power to nurture young minds
Post by: Tallman on July 14, 2016, 02:40:07 PM: Hislop: Sports has the power to nurture young minds
By Sean Nero (T&T Guardian)

Football hall of famer and former national footballer Shaka Hislop yesterday underscored the power of sports in nurturing young minds and went on to debunk a widely held myth many among school administrators and parents that allowing children to become active in sports will serve as a direct impediment to their academic success.

Speaking at the close of the Atlantic/Ministry of Sport 17th annual Sport Desk Leadership Symposium yesterday, held at the Petrea Hall at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya the former Soca Warrior goalkeeper told hundreds of excited youths delighted to come face-to-face with him.

“Sport opened up opportunities for me academically and then academics opened up opportunities for me athletically in a way I don’t think I could ever have planned for. As a student I was alright at school; decent at football, as well, and my father continued to drum into me that the two went hand-in-hand.

“If I wasn’t doing well in school, I wasn’t playing well on the field and vice versa. So for me, it had always been about a balancing act about what I was doing in the classroom and what I was doing on the football field. That motivated me to continue and opened up opportunities for me that I don’t think one or the other might have done.”

Hislop continued, “It was through football that I attained a scholarship at Howard University. It was after playing at university and being spotted playing at university I was offered a spot with an indoor team. This was pre-MLS in the United States. A coach from the Baltimore Blast offered me a spot. As it turned out they were touring that summer in England and a scout spotted me in England and that’s how I found myself playing at Reading Football Club.”

The celebrated sportsman who was asked to speak on the topic “Being A Role Model”, said he did not know how to tackle the subject, citing it was not a phrase he used to describe himself. So he thought it would be cool to tell audience he was a reluctant role model.

In an effort to explain his decision to embrace the phrase “reluctant role model”, Hislop said, “I’ll tell you why I say that. I have never done anything in my life to be a role model. I just tried to be the best that I can be.

“I have said to people and I continue to say it up to this day, my mother threatened to put me over her lap and spank me if I ever embarrassed her. I think she will. I’ve used that as my moral compass. What would my mother expect? What would my father do? I’ve not tried to be anything that I wasn’t. I’ve not set out to do anything that seemed super human.”

https://www.youtube.com/v/VBg4FYnqlXI
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: royal on March 19, 2017, 01:10:24 PM: Intelligent Footballers: Shaka Hislop

https://www.facebook.com/thefootballrepublic/videos/997966246972152/
Title: Soccer analyst Shaka Hislop’s love of country
Post by: Tallman on October 20, 2017, 02:15:00 PM: Soccer analyst Shaka Hislop’s love of country
By Mark W. Wright (the undefeated.com)

“Natty” is getting peppered with shots, and the goalkeeper is not happy with his back line defenders’ lack of interest in playing defense.

“A wha’ kin’a foolishness business this, man?” the slow-moving Jamaican with long dreads shouts to no one in particular. “Everybody waaan’t score goal and be the star,” he continued, before restarting the attack again, hissing his teeth.

Never mind that Natty’s team is winning the Sunday morning kick-around on a bumpy soccer pitch in South Charlotte, North Carolina, a session composed of men from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Guyana, Haiti, Barbados, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and St. Vincent.

This group is no different from other weekend warriors who play pickup soccer or basketball around the country. Everyone has a nickname, and every nickname a backstory. Trinidadians “St. Mary” and “St. Ann” are both named for their hometowns; “Tall Man” (a 6-foot-6 forward who is never without his trusted knee brace); “Short Man” (stands generously at 5-foot-6 but plays much bigger); “Michelin” (named for his ample waistline); and “Buttahs,” whose name likely has something to do with his style of play — he’s smooth.

The Trinidad and Tobago contingent — or “massive,” in island-speak — is having a ball as the game unfolds. They are, without a doubt, the ringleaders of this pack.

The talk of the Sunday kick-around was ESPN FC soccer analyst Shaka Hislop and his comments after his native Trinidad and Tobago beat the U.S. men’s national team 2-1 on Oct. 10, killing the Yanks’ quest to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Hislop spent his 15-year professional career as a goalkeeper in the top division in England, manning net for Newcastle United, Reading, West Ham United and Portsmouth. “Trinidadians are happy people, man. We love the game, and we love to have a good time,” said Hislop, a self-described “proud Trinbagonian.”

The internet saw a glimpse of that pride after the “Soca Warriors” stunned the U.S. team.

Hislop, who led Howard University to the 1988 NCAA Final as a freshman starter, took umbrage to the Americans’ attitude heading into the game, from which they needed only a win or tie to qualify for the world’s biggest sports tournament.

“Not only is this the worst U.S. team I’ve seen, this is the most arrogant U.S. national team I’ve seen for the last 20 years, and that’s not just down to the players — that is down to everybody from U.S. Soccer through the media that comes through the coach and onto the players,” Hislop ranted as his fellow ESPN FC analysts looked on, awed by his passion. “The message it sent to me is that, ‘Here we are, U.S. Soccer, in this little backwater nation, having to play to qualify.’ ”

Hislop had been seething long before the start of the World Cup qualifier. Two days before the match, Hislop watched other World Cup qualifiers with ESPN colleagues just as social media chatter had started to build for the Trinidad and Tobago-U.S. matchup.

In September, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association moved the game from Hasely Crawford Stadium in the capital of Port of Spain to Ato Boldon Stadium in the small town of Couva. Heavy rain before the Oct. 10 game left the field soaked, and water had to be pumped off the surrounding running track.

“I was sitting there complaining from then, and then when I saw the official Twitter feed of the U.S. national team posting pictures of players carrying players across ankle-high water to make matters seem worse than they actually were, it really set me off,” said Hislop, his Trinidadian accent coming through and voice rising. “It added to how offended I felt. … I’m not saying that that was anybody’s intention, but I was already there.”

To be fair, nobody referred to the playing surface at Ato Boldon Stadium as a “little backwater nation,” but Hislop had seen and heard enough from the media leading up to the game that more than suggested that the Americans were looking past Trinidad and Tobago. The air of disrespect was pungent, Hislop said.

“I know that field,” Hislop told The Undefeated. “It’s slightly raised, with a running track around it. The water had settled onto the running track. I was, like, wait a minute, the same hurricanes that smashed Houston and Puerto Rico came right up through the Caribbean. I played in Europe on pitches just as bad. This is not unique to Trinidad and Tobago or the Caribbean. This is part of the game. I just felt the rhetoric was demeaning.”

There’s also well-documented history that should be part of the narrative on both sides. The U.S., in 1989, had ended Trinidad and Tobago’s hopes of reaching the 1990 World Cup. That wound still burns, particularly for the likes of Jack Warner, the Trinidadian former FIFA vice president and Confederation of North and Central American and Caribbean Football (CONCACAF) president who was arrested by U.S. federal prosecutors on charges of bribery and fraud as part of the FIFA scandal that rocked the soccer world in 2015. Warner called the U.S. loss the “happiest day of my life.”

“It was totally avoidable, this loss for the Americans,” said Brian Anderson of the Charlotte Caribbean Football Club, a proud Trini who said Hislop’s analysis spoke for his country of 1.3 million. “They had an arrogance, an arrogance that said, ‘This game is a foregone conclusion.’ ”

Since that epic loss, U.S. Soccer has had an all-you-can-eat helping of humble pie. Team manager Bruce Arena has resigned, walking away in infamy as the man who failed to propel America past last-place Trinidad and Tobago to qualify for the World Cup, marking the first time since 1986 the Americans will not participate in futbol’s biggest party. Hislop admits to taking no personal comfort in Team USA’s loss. He also doesn’t believe U.S. Soccer should panic and start over from scratch.

“I don’t think it’s time to scrap everything and rebuild,” Hislop said. “What is needed are calm heads and a holistic look at what’s working and what isn’t. Look at the infrastructure for kids to play the game. Give kids every single opportunity to play and grow, from a young age.

“Figure out how we get kids from the inner cities to be part of the system; kids from the inner cities are being priced out of the game,” said Hislop, a father of five. “It’s not cheap. Figure out how U.S. Soccer and clubs can better partner with local high schools. Not every family can pick up and move their family to Germany as [U.S. national star] Christian Pulisic’s family did. That might be a realistic option [to groom the best talent] for some, but not for the vast majority.”

Hislop, a week after his rant broke Twitter, sounds more like himself now: calm, reserved, jovial.

“Yeah, man … that situation got to me. I got a lot of messages from people in Trinidad. I know [my points] resonated with people up and down the island.”

Added Anderson: “Shaka said his piece, man. He spoke for all of us.”
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Tallman on February 15, 2018, 08:15:59 PM: Ex-Newcastle and West Ham keeper Shaka Hislop goes from stopper to working for NASA and one of American TV’s most famous soccer pundits
By Russell Lanning (thesun.co.uk)

LIFE hasn’t been one small step for former keeper Shaka Hislop. It has been one giant leap!

For not many footballers can say they have worked for NASA and been part of a key project at the space station based in the American capital as part of his impressive CV.

The 48-year old is now living in Massachusetts with wife, Desha and five children, and talks proudly of his time at the NASA Headquarters in Washington DC.

He said: “I have a degree in mechanical engineering and worked at NASA.

“The Space Station project was spread over multiple sites but the DC office where I worked we oversaw the SS Endeavour.

“I only spent a couple of months working there for a summer internship between my third and fourth years but it was an enlightening experience.”

He added: “Six years ago I went back to school at the Alma Mater Howard University and I earned my Executive MBA in 2014.”

Today, the ex-keeper can be seen regularly on screen in the States in a similar role to Gary Neville and Thierry Henry on Sky Sports.

He added: “Since 2008 I started working with the US sports network ESPN doing colour commentary and appearing on their football show called Press Pass, which has since become ESPN FC.

Hislop was raised in Trinidad but was born in London.

Sport was high on the agenda in the Hislop household.

His father, George, was a long jump champion who went to law school and was a teacher while his grandfather on his mother Gina’s side represented the West Indies at cricket.

Bright-as-a-button Shaka had just graduated from university in mechanical engineering when he was spotted by a scout from Reading during a friendly when he was playing for Baltimore Blast in a friendly with Aston Villa.

He signed for Reading in 1992 and was a Royal for three years helping the club to promotion from the old Division Two in 1994.

In the summer of 1995, he joined Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle revolution in 1995 for £1.5m.

Around the same time he married his college sweetheart, Desha who hails from San Fernando in Trinidad.

They met in 1989. She also graduated in 1992 with a degree in marketing.

He added: “After leaving English football after 14 wonderful years at Reading, Newcastle, West Ham and Pompey 2006, I went on and played a year in MLS for Dallas. I finally quit the game the following year.”

Now his children have followed down the educational route in true Hislop tradition.

He said: “My eldest daughter, Maalana, just graduated from Queen Mary University – in London.

“My second eldest daughter, Khazia, is currently in her second year at University of North Carolina where she’s on a gymnastics scholarship.

“My youngest three kids all love playing football.

“My wife, Desha is involved as a realtor – real estate – here in Massachusetts.”

Hislop is also one of the great football trivia questions too.

The Hackney-born former keeper was on England’s subs bench against Chile in 1998 but then played AGAINST Three Lions in the World Cup finals in 2006!

He added: “Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago we didn’t have a professional league, so I never thought about playing professionally because it simply wasn’t an option.

“I ended playing professionally for 15 years and loved every moment of my time in England.

“I think I proved that with determination and dedication your background doesn’t have to hold you back. I have been on the most amazing journey.”
Title: Shaka Hislop inducted into Reading FC’s Hall of Fame
Post by: Tallman on March 24, 2018, 02:57:59 PM: Shaka Hislop inducted into Reading FC’s Hall of Fame
By Nigel Myers

Goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, who made 126 appearances for Reading FC between 1992 and 1995, was among 25 new inductees into Reading FC’s Hall of Fame on March 20th.

The Hall of Fame is run by the The Supporters Trust At Reading (STAR) and nomination is open to any individual that has played an exceptional or distinctive part in the life of the club. STAR hopes to induct about 150 individuals by 2022 to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Reading FC’s first match which was played in 1872.

Shaka’s achievements at the club are summarized on STAR’s website (http://star-reading.org/index.php/hall-of-fame) as follows:

Reading career: 1992-95, Goalkeeper 126 appearances
Claim to fame: Arguably Reading’s best ever keeper and a crowd favourite.

Shaka Hislop proved to be one of Reading’s best ever goalkeepers in the short period he was with the club. He took the often lurid and multi-coloured jersey permanently from Steve Francis at the start of the 1993-94 season and played 110 consecutive matches, winning a Division Two champions medal and finishing as a Division One runner-up before moving to Newcastle for £1,565,000.

Though born in London, Shaka came from the unlikely source of US college football, where he had been a student of aeronautical engineering. He made his Reading debut in September 1992. Tall, long and loose-limbed, agile and cool under pressure Hislop was an instant hit with the Reading fans who frequently sang “Shaka, Shaka, what’s the score?” In his two seasons as the first choice keeper he let in less than a goal a game and was a vital component in Mark McGhee’s attractive team that won Division Two in style in 1993-94. The following season Shaka played even better at a higher level making scores of stupendous saves that kept Reading in games they might otherwise have lost. The Elm Park men finished second in the second tier of English football, the highest position the club had ever reached at that point in time. Unfortunately Reading lost a dramatic play-off final to Bolton at Wembley in what was Hislop’s last game for the club.

After a period with Newcastle Shaka went on to play for West Ham and Portsmouth. Towards the end of his career he represented Trinidad and Tobago in the World Cup Finals of 2006 and later became a well-known broadcaster for ESPN.
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Flex on April 23, 2018, 03:21:25 AM: Shaka donates boots to T&T Maestros.
T&T Newsday Reports.

Former Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper and current ESPN FC analyst, Shaka Hislop, surprised T&T Maestros with a visit on Saturday during a training session at the Laventille Community Complex.

Hislop has partnered with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to assist football clubs in the Morvant/Laventille area.

The 49 year old, who played at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, donated 30 pairs of football boots to T&T Maestros.

Sheldon De Freitas, coach of T&T Maestros, yesterday expressed gratitude to Hislop and his team for the generous donation and for inspiring his youngsters.

“Half of them did not have boots. He met some of them wearing sneakers to training so they were really in need,” De Freitas said.

“I feel it is commendable that a guy with that stature could make a gesture and come here when he doesn’t even live in Trinidad. It was a surprise visit with him and his brother Kona Hislop,” he continued.

The youth coach lamented that football icons who grew up right in their area have never done anything to assist. He said the young footballers were all delighted to get to interact with someone they look at on TV.

“They’re familiar with him from ESPN, so they were real excited to meet him. He told them to go for their dreams because it is not where you start but where you come from.’Once you have the ambition, you can make it’, he said, and he is a very good example. He said to focus on the academics as well as sport because it is necessary for contracts and in life,” De Freitas said.

Kona Hislop yesterday refused to take any credit for the benevolent gesture, praising Police for the work it is doing in the community.

Kona said his brother acquired donations of boots, uniforms and footballs from several clubs in North America and distributed it to several local clubs.
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Deeks on April 23, 2018, 05:11:58 AM: Niceness. Wow, is a long time I eh hear about Kona.
Title: Hislop sisters follow dad’s footsteps for Concord-Carlisle
Post by: Tallman on October 10, 2018, 02:39:01 AM: Hislop sisters follow dad’s footsteps for Concord-Carlisle
By Ethan Schroeder (Boston Globe)

Out on the practice field one day last week, Shaka Hislop stood among the Concord-Carlisle goalkeepers.

A former keeper in the English Premier League, the 49-year-old Hislop worked specifically with the young players.

Then he took his turn at burying headers in a team-wide crossing exercise.

His daughters, Nia and Talia. also took part. Nia is a freshman striker at Concord-Carlisle. Talia is a senior captain in the midfield.

“It was really nice to have him there,” Nia Hislop said. “We’ve just always thought of him as ‘Dad.’ ”

In a 15-year professional career, the elder Hislop played for Reading, New Castle, West Ham, and Portsmouth. In two of three seasons with Newcastle, the club finished second in the Premier League. Internationally, he started in net for Trinidad & Tobago in its 2006 World Cup group stage opener, the country’s first World Cup contest.

Nia and Talia have a defined soccer pedigree. As the two flourish in the midst of an 8-0-1 start for the No. 11 Patriots, Shaka is content in the role of spectating father.

His playing days ended after a year with Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas in 2007. After being hired by ESPN as a soccer analyst, he and his wife, Desha , moved their five children to the Northeast.

A decade later, his two youngest girls, Talia and Nia, are helping engineer Concord-Carlisle’s best start in the six-year tenure of coach Peter Fischelis.

On Monday, C-C earned a 1-1 tie against top-ranked Newton South, currently ranked third in the Northeast United States by topdrawersoccer.com.

Nia jas stepped in as a freshman and leads the Patriots in scoring (seven goals and one assist in nine games).

“The first thing you notice is her speed, but she’s also able to go toe-to-toe with big, strong backs,” Fischelis said. .

Shaka Hislop said Nia’s quick start has been helped by having her sister nearby.

“Having a sister around has helped her settle in and express herself in a way that maybe other freshmen could not,” the elder Hislop said.

As a 6-foot-2-inch midfielder, Talia is hard to miss on the field. She is playing again after undergoing three knee surgeries in two seasons that prevented her from completing a full varsity season for Concord-Carlisle.

Hislop was cleared for soccer activities less than two weeks before the 2018 regular season began.

“I’m not sure if she credits that determination to her mom or her dad,” said Shaka with a laugh. “It’s been a tough couple of years for her, but when she gets into a rhythm it’s something else.”

Outside of the occasional practice visit, Shaka prefers to let his daughters journey through the sport on their own devices.

“My parents didn’t play soccer at all back in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said. “I played soccer because I loved it, and I loved playing with my friends. I want them to have that same path, if they choose.”

But, as Talia explained, outsiders can be quick to lump the two in their dad’s shadow.

“It was normal for us growing up,” she said. “We’ve taken it in stride because it’s always been our normal.”

Added Nia, “It’s nice to have someone who’s played professionally and can give us pointers in the moment. If anything, what he’s done is good motivation for us.”

Shaka keeps the pointers to a minimum, opting to watch quietly from the stands. He can see how their attitudes off the field serve them well while on it, and sees little reason to offer his opinion unless directly asked.

“Nia is determined and focused in general, so it doesn’t surprise me to see it in her game,” he said. “And Talia’s a little more quiet and cerebral, so she can sit back and analyze. The last thing any high school kid needs is a dad shouting and inserting himself.

“I want them to enjoy soccer as much as they do now, but also challenge themselves, and recognize the fulfillment in that challenge.”
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Deeks on October 10, 2018, 10:34:57 PM: Shaka eh encourage none of his daughters to go to his alma mater? Howard
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: asylumseeker on October 10, 2018, 11:09:34 PM: Quote from: Deeks on October 10, 2018, 10:34:57 PM
Shaka eh encourage none of his daughters to go to his alma mater? Howard

Concord-Carlisle is a high school.
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Tallman on December 11, 2019, 04:51:25 PM: WATCH: Shaka Hislop discusses a range of topics including his days in a CIC shirt, coming off the bench in the victory over Mexico in the 2006 World Cup Qualifier, Leo Beenhakker, Harry Redknapp and the similarities between Steven Gerrard and the stadium announcer.

https://www.youtube.com/v/pNa9yx_BpJ0
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: asylumseeker on December 11, 2019, 08:13:20 PM: One of Shaka's comments goes to the different/unique burden placed on GKs. Beenhakker regarded Shaka's attempts to lighten the mood as a [potential] liability. However, he didn't seem to have a similar qualm about starting Sancho despite his levity.

Solid interview!
Title: Shaka Hislop: One on One
Post by: Tallman on January 23, 2020, 09:39:02 PM: Shaka Hislop: One on One
By Sheldon Waithe (Parkite Sports Magazine)

Shaka Hislop played for some of the biggest clubs in English football before taking his seat in the ESPN studio as a football analyst. A university graduate before embarking on a professional career, he has been outspoken on a number of issues including the treatment of T&T’s 2006 World Cup squad. Sheldon Waithe chats with him about his career, the Soca Warriors, VAR, and his picks for the 2019-20 season.

“I never felt comfortable between the posts; I’m really a striker … goalkeeping was just a temporary gig!” Neil Shaka Hislop insists that his first love was being an outfield player. But as temporary jobs go, his goalkeeping stint didn’t do too badly.

He has a slight limp from his last outing on the pitch – not in goal of course – and immediately warns of his capacity to speak ad infinitum, a trait he now draws on as a beloved pundit on ESPN. “I can real talk; everything with me has a back story.” And he is refreshingly open: “Ask me anything.”

Full football spectrum

The self-proclaimed “reluctant role model” has done the full player spectrum: from College soccer in the US while he earned his degree, to promotion from the English Division 2, chasing the Premiership title in a memorable dogfight with Manchester United, an FA Cup final appearance, promotion to the Premiership from Division 1 and, to cap it all off, goalkeeping for his nation at the World Cup.

He was at the forefront of the T&T players’ battle for proper payment after that World Cup, and is on FIFA’s technical committee. He launched “Show Racism The Red Card” in the UK, a topic that has sadly become headline news once again across the football landscape.

It’s little wonder that he has a lot to tell.

Football or NASA?

Shaka’s height dictated that he was put in goal for T&T’s first national under-12 squad, to play against Venezuela. It was a squad bursting with talent, with the likes of Russell Latapy and Brian Lara, and was his first contact with coach Bertille St Clair.

Secondary school football was followed by a scholarship to Howard University and a budding internship with NASA. But there was an offer from Reading FC across the Atlantic, so a choice had to be made. “My mentor at NASA said ‘Give it a go, you don’t want to be an engineer wondering what if?’ So I gave it a go … and it worked out.”

So began his path towards the top flight. “I had a nice progression. Reading was in the bottom half of the 2nd Division, not a lot of expectation, but even so I struggled in my first year. I stand by this: I signed a two-year contract, and if I hadn’t, I would not have gone back after the first year.” But reluctance turned to joy as he flourished, playing every match, and Reading were promoted. “That changed everything for me.”

The top flight

Kevin Keegan came calling and suddenly Shaka was part of a crack Newcastle United squad that were on course for the EPL title. As before, he took some time to acclimatise. “I struggled to settle, it was a big step up, and all of a sudden there was expectation. When ManU pegged us back in that 95-96 season, I didn’t deal with that well emotionally.”

Then came perspective. “In my second season at Newcastle my eldest daughter was hospitalised; I was going from training or the game to the hospital. Again, it changed everything. All of a sudden I realised what was important.” For a player coping with the pressures of weekly matches, fans and media, “Home became my safe place where I could put everything away. Similarly, I could dislodge myself from issues at home and focus on the match.”

This leads to the subject of blocking out the crowd, chants, and coping with nerves. The goalkeeper’s position is somewhat isolated, leaving them more open to anxiety. “I remember talking to my dad about it, and he said, ‘You have to be able to challenge your nervous energy’, there’s nothing wrong with being nervous. I also started chewing gum, I found it would help.”

Within the tribalism of various clubs across the breadth of England, he was adored. Chants claimed him as one of their own, ringing out “Shaka’s a Geordie!” or “Shaka The Hammer!”. “Whoever I played with, I tried to make myself a part of their community, and that is what started Show Racism The Red Card. It was my way of giving back; these people pay money to come and see me play, so I felt I owed them a debt.”

Raheem Sterling, spearheading the current football anti-racism campaign, harks back to Hislop’s pioneering role in tackling the issue. What is Shaka’s solution? “Banning a club will never erase what is the underlying problem, which is racism in society. I don’t feel that the authorities have been innovative enough in their approach to the problem.

“What I would like to see happen is, say, a fine of $500,000 for a club found guilty; that’s an extortionate amount of money, but if you then say that you’ll suspend $400,000 if the club spends $150K on an educational programme trying to address the issue within their fanbase, that would work a whole lot better that just increasing fines.”

2006 World Cup

The pinnacle of Shaka’s playing career came in 2006 at Germany’s World Cup, but he believes that T&T was better placed to qualify in 2002. “The team was good but Jack [Warner] didn’t like [T&T coach] Bertille [St Clair] because Bertille was so outspoken. So he sent an ultimatum to Bertille that if he didn’t win the 2000 Gold Cup, he’s getting sacked. Ridiculous! Keep in mind that that 2000 semi-final appearance is still our best showing at a Gold Cup, and we lost on penalties. So he sacks Bertille, and that was the unravelling of that team.”

Four years later the quality still shone through, and the Soca Warriors qualified. Not playing at his best for West Ham, Shaka accepted his lack of form, up to a point. He was not the first choice of coach Leo Beenhakker, with whom he had “an exchange” in the days before the first match, and he was not in the best frame of mind. “I was angry, and I don’t play football angry. Then I made my mind up that I never thought that I would see a T&T team play at a World Cup, so I’m going into this with the position that I’m a fan with a great seat.”

Now relaxed, he awoke on match day and “ate one set of food, was kicking shots at [goalkeeper Clayton] Ince and thought, ‘I’m enjoying my day, yes’. Next thing Kelvin Jack [the first choice keeper] walks past and says ‘I can’t make’. It took a little while to register, then I saw him talking to Beenhakker; I stood up staring at him, staring at Leo and thinking ‘Leave me out at your peril!’ Our eyes met, he called me over and said, ‘You ready for this?’ I was like ‘Yes’. So that was it.”

Shaka was outstanding. It was his best performance for T&T, as he kept a clean sheet and Sweden at bay, an integral part of T&T defying the odds in one of its most memorable sporting performances.

Equally astounding was the team’s next outing versus England, where they held out for 83 minutes and gave as good as they got. There was something special in that dressing room. “Tactically Beenhakker got it right. We had Dwight [Yorke] sitting in between the two centre halves and at times stepping up, and a lot of what we did – how defensive or how attacking we were – was dictated by Dwight. He has an incredible football intellect, and at that World Cup it was on full display.”

Fight for justice

The post-tournament euphoria did not last long. The T&T players were offered approximately TT$5,000 each as their bonus for playing in the world’s biggest tournament. With his forthright attitude and acute sense of justice, Shaka led from the front in the fight for their just reward.

“Before the Bahrain game the senior players got together to decide what we were going to ask for as a deal. I thought if we got 10% of the commercial revenues, then we did well. Others wanted 30%, which I thought was crazy. I was outnumbered and I nearly died when Jack Warner agreed to the 30%.

“After the tournament we kept chasing the spreadsheet of the revenue earned, and when we finally got it we thought either they’re lying or they’ve got the worst marketing department, if those are the kind of numbers they’re claiming they’ve earned. So we said ‘We’ll see you in court.’”

The protracted affair was not settled until 2013. “Not everyone was up for the fight, but I was getting ready to retire so had nothing to lose. When we eventually got the correct information and saw the numbers, we were like ‘What the …?’ We had no idea, no idea. Early in the discussions we suggested paying everyone TT$250,000 each and we’ll walk away, but then when we saw those figures, we were like ‘Nah!’”

Eventually they settled on a figure that they felt was appropriate. “My point is, if you made an agreement with the players, then honour it, and if you can’t then let’s negotiate: but you can’t bully the players into taking a figure that you want.”

Future of Caribbean sport

The country was not able to build on that World Cup appearance, but while most blamed the local governing body, Hislop believes that it extends further. “The CFU (Caribbean Football Union) position is around wielding power rather than developing the game. The fact that Caribbean nations have no regular league or exchange is testament to that. It’s the reason that no one from the Caribbean has come close to qualifying since.”

On the ESPN panel of football pundits, and with an expanding role at the Olympics and Pan Am Games, Shaka is well placed to comment on the overall development of sport in the region. “I think Caribbean sport is potentially the most exciting to cover, just because of who we are culturally and how much fun we have around our sport.

“I also feel that there is an inherent misunderstanding of the media’s role in sport. People feel that the media are just here to throw money at sport and buy rights, and they will use that money to grow the sport, putting the cart before the horse. In reality it’s the total opposite. Companies don’t come in until those sports are viable. Unless you’re NFL, EPL or Wimbledon, people largely pay to be on the media platforms because that allows them to get money from sponsors. We need to improve the quality of the product in every regard and then attract media and sponsors.”

The Shaka Hislop story deserves to be told more often, for new generations to appreciate the aspects & rewards of hard work, the importance of balancing education with sport, a strong sense of right and wrong, and the willingness to fight for what you believe is right. To never lose sight of your core values regardless of the station you attain, to recognise the worth of giving back to the community, to draw on those principles from a strong family base and – if you’ve seen him on ESPN – to have fun along the way.

“I remember saying once that I’m a reluctant role model, and my wife saying ‘You can’t say that’. I accept that I’m a role model, given what I’ve achieved, but that’s not why I do it. It was never part of my motivation. I will do what I can when I can; if people reach out to me I will always support as best I can.”

He is correct, he can definitely talk; but when Shaka speaks, it’s always worth listening.

Shaka talks VAR

The introduction of the Video Assisted Referee (VAR) system into football has been contentious, to say the least! As a member of FIFA’s International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body that determines the laws of the game, we wanted Shaka’s view.

“I love it. Let me say that I also think the criticisms are reflective of how resistant to change we are. The game is getting so fast and officiating errors have become so costly, a wrong decision can cost a club millions of dollars. So there was a need for the introduction of technology.

“I didn’t understand why the Bundesliga and others jumped on it as quickly as they did: let some of the smaller leagues use it first, let the MLS use it, figure out the kinks, etc. But then, come the World Cup 2018, it worked really well.

“I think it works well in a shorter tournament. In a longer league format the standard position was if a referee made a wrong decision it would come out in the wash; at some point you are going to be the beneficiary of a mistake, it balances itself out. As the protocols become clearer, not just for the players and fans but for the referees, I think it will get better. I think football deserves the right decision, not just the quick decision.”

Taking quickfire shots at Shaka

Your favourite football team?
West Ham.

Favourite sport outside of football?
Golf. No, I’m not giving you my handicap! I enjoy the camaraderie; the score is just to decide who buys the drinks.

We saw you and Usain Bolt together for a promotion recently, who was stronger?
Who was stronger?

Well, we know who is faster.
That’s only because I pulled my hamstring. Hahaha. Nah, he’s strong.

The one ex-player you would have liked in your dressing room?
Zidane.

The one defender that you would have in front of you?
[Giorgio] Chiellini.

The best striker that you have faced?
Alan Shearer.

Your favourite save that you made?
West Ham at home to Aston Villa, we drew nil-nil. Lee Hendry came inside the box, shot one, and I was able to parry it: but it then fell for Paul Merson, and he was tapping into what he thought was an empty goal. I somehow got back and tipped it around the post.

Who’s winning this season’s Champions League?
I’ll go for Atletico Madrid.

Euro 2020?
Belgium.

EPL?
Liverpool.

La Liga?
I’m torn between Atletico and Barcelona, but I’m going to go with Barcelona.

Serie A?
Juventus.

And the next ESPN FC debate?
Me, of course!
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Tallman on June 10, 2020, 02:57:17 PM: WATCH: Former West Ham goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, who's an honorary president of Show Racism the Red Card, thinks the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests could have a major impact.

https://www.youtube.com/v/hNc_5l2oaN8
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Flex on June 29, 2020, 04:08:55 AM: Shaka: Troubling TTFA revelations don’t justify Fifa intervention—they challenge us to fix ourselves.
By Shaka Hislop (Wired868).

Well, this really has been a strange couple of weeks. I’ve found myself having in-depth conversations with some of my best and dearest friends regarding our football and the position we currently find ourselves in.

We really are up shit creek; and Fifa has snatched our paddles and are now trying to comfort us by insisting that this is their creek anyway.

It’s been a whirlwind few months. Back in November, I recorded an endorsement for the head of the United TTFA slate, William Wallace. Nothing necessarily new. In the last decade I’ve offered public and recorded statements of support for at least four of our head coaches, and one of our previous ministers of sport.

I’ve also spoken at the political launch event of yet another budding politician who went on to become minister of sport. I’ve phoned all three of the last TTFA presidents within days of their electoral wins to wish them good luck.

While the timing and use of video are firsts for me, I didn’t hesitate in endorsing Wallace. In all of my dealings with him as president of the SSFL, I found him honest and professional.

The revelations of the last few weeks have been disappointing and troubling though.

Within four months of Wallace’s tenure, even before the revelations of the last few weeks, Fifa felt it necessary to rescind their recognition of his title and impose a normalisation committee. I’ve already let my feelings be known about that.

Those feelings haven’t changed—so if you’re here hoping or expecting an apology for that, you’ll be disappointed.

Let me be clear, I don’t necessarily have an issue with the makeup of the normalisation committee. The head of the normalisation committee has been called to serve our game in a most unusual and unexpected circumstance. I applaud anyone who is willing to step up and do so, as long as their motivations are honest and efforts earnest—even if I continue to challenge the reasons for their appointment.

I have spoken to Mr Robert Hadad since his appointment and have no reason to question him. None. My biggest grievance through all of this continues to be with the reasons given for the imposing of a normalisation committee at this point.

Despite the after-the-fact justifications of the normalisation committee put forward in many of the comment sections, the reasons offered by FIFA themselves—via two sets of highly competent local law firms—fall desperately short of acceptable.

Keeping in mind that all of our football’s challenges are inherited, thanks to a former Fifa VP, those reasons would have justified the same at any point in the last ten years.

If Fifa were happy to allow previous administrations full terms in trying to arrest those issues, despite spiralling debt and a plummeting ranking, it’s a very tough sell to justify not letting this one get out of their blocks. An easier sell for FIFA to countries with a colonial past, who have been conditioned not to question.

If there is a silver lining to what I’ve witnessed over recent weeks, it’s that we are equipped with the checks and balances our football needs, they just have to be allowed to function properly and fully.

If you have a rogue president, there is an executive committee, a board, and a general membership who should act as guardians of the governance as guided by the constitution.

The investigative pieces as produced right here in Wired868, by SportsMax, the Express, the Guardian and the Newsday have shown that we have a media who are more than capable of ensuring transparency and exposing wrongdoing. And we have a fan base to hold them all to account.

For Fifa to leapfrog them all makes a mockery of those pillars, stripping them of their rights and responsibilities, and undermines our own sovereignty. The damage done will outlast the normalisation committee’s term by decades.

I don’t believe Wallace is corrupt or a thief, or necessarily rogue. Football is a venomous arena. It takes a steeled character to navigate and an even sharper tongue to dominate.

Wallace’s trusting nature has probably been his undoing. The recent revelations have exposed faults in our administrative protocols as well. Why does it only take one signature to execute deals such as the one with Avec, for the head coach, the ‘marketing agent’, and even the general secretary?

A remnant of that former Fifa VP’s era. Whatever comes of all of this, that needs to be addressed.

The gilt-edged promise of football administration is tempting. It has seen seemingly good people actively deal in rumour, misinformation and back-stabbing. It’ll take honest, intelligent, people of integrity for us to deliver on the promise of our local talent and fans’ hopes.

But we do have those people in our own midsts. We have to identify and support them.

I can sometimes be a cynic, but my glass remains half full.
Title: Dr Frederick and I - The relationship
Post by: Tallman on July 23, 2020, 06:58:57 PM: Dr Frederick and I - The relationship
By Shaka Hislop (pushinglimits.net)

Dr Wayne Frederick and I have been best friends since we were teenagers. The best way I could narrow it down is I was 14 and he was 12 at the time. We just became best friends in CIC and to this day we have no idea why. We were both living in Diamond Vale but that’s all we had in common. He wasn’t a good footballer. He would tell you different but he wasn’t good at all. But we were friends.

To this day, and I say this unapologetically, I had no idea why other than the fact that we were young guys and we were friends. He was small. Wayne suffers with sickle cell so he was always very slight growing up but we just connected and shared dreams. Wayne has gone onto an incredible career himself.

Following our time at CIC I went onto Howard University. He skipped a year so he ended up a year behind me in school and then when he was trying to figure out his own path post St Mary’s College I told him Howard University was the perfect place. As a matter of fact I filled out his application form, paid the application fee and went and submitted it for him to get into Howard.

He came up on an advanced med degree as they call it. So at 16 he was doing both Undergraduate and Med School courses. Then at the time when he became a qualified surgeon, he was the youngest board certified surgeon in US history. So we shared time at Howard University and I then went off to England. He would come to see me play when I first got into the system at Reading FC and when I came back to the States we would catch up. He was a groomsman at my wedding and I was best man at his. We managed to share our successes and always kept in touch and abreast of each other's progress.

Strangely we speak in glowing terms when we have to speak individually about each other but when we are together it’s more difficult because we still act like 12 and 14 year-olds. It's the same to this day when I meet up with up the rest of the boys like Brian (Lara), Dwight (Yorke), Russell (Latapy and Stern John. While we are adults now we still find time to joke around or pull at each other just as we did when we were 12 or 13. It's just worth it being able to loosen the tie a little sometimes. But it’s fun and I think there is a bigger message here and I was actually speaking to Penny Commissiong about this recently. We were speaking about peers and the perception about peer pressure and it being a negative. If peer pressure is a negative or if it isn’t a positive then it’s most likely because you’ve got the wrong peers. So us as peers, we’ve been able to encourage and inspire each other despite our differences.

As I mentioned, we had no idea what brought us together as friends. I was playing sport and he was very bright. I wasn’t that academically accomplished both at my time at CIC and Howard University yet I was able to raise my game academically because of my association with Wayne and that has served me well to this day. I don’t think I could have achieved the things I eventually did academically without him as a friend and I probably couldn’t have achieved the things I did athletically without the likes of Dwight and Russell as my friends in that respect.

As much as I accept that people see my successes and the path I took during the course of my career, and of course the old cliches of me being a local icon or a role model, I just see myself as Shaka Hislop from Diamond Vale. And I made the most of my God-given talents. I made the most of lady luck shining on me and I got some breaks and I made the most of them. But I don’t see myself as being special. The message I’m trying to send here is that you don’t have to see yourself as special to chase those dreams, to have larger than life ambitions and to go after them. You just have to remain focused, have the right people around you and not get distracted. You have to have people who share your ambitions, who share your drive and who will support those dreams.

It doesn’t take an outstanding set of circumstances our outstanding ability. It just takes an outstanding effort in recognising who you are and what you want to be and recognising the challenges and in particular the opportunity and breaks when they do come.

We can use my example as I did. If you want to become a professional footballer and go onto play in Europe at the highest level, Secondary Schools football is as good a platform or foundation as there is. If you want to go on and become the next breakthrough surgeon, high school in Trinidad and Tobago is as good an academic foundation as any, especially coming from a small country.

Coming from a small country we tend to think that we don’t really have the right infrastructure, the right support or the foundation that the others do, so therefore, chasing big dreams and big accomplishments is something for the Americans and the Europeans, that it's unique to them, and they are the only ones that have the right to it. And I say that is nonsense. We have all the tools right here in Trinidad and Tobago. It is about how we put our thoughts and abilities together to really endure everything that we will encounter during that journey. It is about pulling everything together and pushing limits in order to achieve what we are capable of.

The Howard University Board of Trustees announced on July 20th, 2020 that it has selected President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA to serve as the distinguished Charles R. Drew Endowed Chair of Surgery. Dr. Frederick succeeds the late Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr. as the second person appointed to the prestigious position.

Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick was appointed the 17th President of Howard University in 2014. He previously served as provost and chief academic officer. A distinguished scholar and administrator, Dr. Frederick has advanced Howard University’s commitment to student opportunity, academic innovation, public service, and fiscal stability.

Following his post-doctoral research and surgical oncology fellowships at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Frederick began his academic career as associate director of the Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut. Upon his return to Howard University, his academic positions included associate dean in the College of Medicine, division chief in the Department of Surgery, director of the Cancer Center and deputy provost for Health Sciences. Dr. Frederick has received various awards honoring his scholarship and service.

Shaka Hislop who wrote this piece for Pushing Limits, is an ESPN Soccer analyst and standout former professional football (soccer) player who, as a dual national citizen, played for both England and his native Trinidad & Tobago, making history as the starting goalkeeper on the T&T national team’s first ever World Cup match in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in the historic 0-0 draw with Sweden in Dortmund. He was also the first member of the Trinidad & Tobago World Cup squad to be inducted into his country’s Sporting Hall of Fame.

Shaka played over 400 games in combined league and national team competition during his 15 year career. The vast majority was in the Premier League as a goalkeeper for Newcastle United, West Ham, Reading and Portsmouth. During his time at Newcastle United the team placed second in the Premier League for two successive seasons under Kevin Keegan’s first tenure. He received a FA Cup runners-up medal with West Ham when they lost to Liverpool in May 2006, less than a month before T&T's 2006 World Cup opener.
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: pull stones on July 24, 2020, 04:52:04 PM: I promised my self to stay away from TT football if I am to maintain what ever is left of my good health. after following our football for so many years and gracefully having to endure the disappointments that followed, there has to be enormous medical implications involved for the stress we as dedicated TT football fans had to endure.

This roller coaster ride has taken its toll on countless fans over the years, those who decided to leave off their support for TT football entirely because of the constant revolving door of mismanagement and disappointment has left many of us very cynical.

it seem like problems abound all around, from the administration to the coaching staff and their woeful decision making to the local stake holders and their selfish ambitions, to the players and their shenanigans who refuse to take time to perfect their craft bringing the same lazy half hearted inept performance to the field, as well as the poor player selection leaving off the more promising prospects for the usual suspects, and now to the final straw where fifa has invited themselves the beat down to get theirs in, and all the ineptitude and willful neglect has culminating into one big poisonous mushroom cloud, and it’s too much to ignore.

I actually came here to congratulate shaka Hislop, the most up right of all our sports heroes, especially in the football arena. this man has never been contaminated by the local droppings that has been passing themselves off as football caretakers in this vine of a country where people who’s supposed to be caretakers of the sport has been nothing but neglectful and self serving.

shaka has also been savvy enough not to find himself entangled in the rope of success especially in the american sports media where I’ve seen so many bow down to the pressures of american bias, and has gracefully managed to keep his independence and integrity in tact despite the enormity of peer pressure. and I have to admit that he has once again managed to impress on those of us with integrity when him being solely the only soca warrior who has seen the fifa intervention for what us truly is and was not afraid to tell it lime it is. Kudos to you boss man, a real genuine class act.
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Tallman on December 05, 2020, 11:51:37 PM: Ex-Newcastle star Shaka Hislop recalls vile abuse that sparked his anti-racism campaign
By Simon Bird (mirror.co.uk)

Shaka Hislop vividly recalls the youths emerging from the dark and hurling racist abuse as he filled up his car at a petrol station near St James’ Park.

It was 25 years ago this week. Kevin Keegan’s ‘Entertainers’ were heading for a 10-point Christmas lead in the Premier League and charming the nation with their football.

Hislop, despite being 6ft 4in, and having prepared mentally for the “macho” actions he would take if confronted, was “frozen with fear”.

He said: “When you are in front of it, you are scared, genuinely, for your life – no exaggeration. It is such a shuddering experience.

“Then, as they got closer, one recognised who I was, and they started singing my name and wanted autographs...”

It could have been left there, banked as an awful memory. Instead, it was the start of a 25-year mission. Show Racism The Red Card was founded and has reached a million kids. These days it is Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford who speak out and take actions to confront the political and humanitarian issues of the day. Back then, Hislop, from Trinidad and Tobago, was the footballer taking a stand – in a very lasting way.

He explained: “I was a black footballer worthy of the most vile racist abuse from 50 yards away, but worthy of having my name sung from 50ft away.

“I felt the need to do something. I understood how highly footballers were regarded about town and how that platform could be used to challenge the stereotypes and have a discussion about race.”

He joined forces with local campaigner Ged Grebby, now Show Racism The Red Card’s chief exec. “It started with school visits. My team-mate John Beresford joined me, and we talked of our experiences and what we had learned sharing dressing rooms with people from all over the world.”

Hislop will mark the anniversary on Wednesday after a tough year. The former Toon, West Ham and Portsmouth star is now a presenter for ESPN and lives in the US.

“I have gone through every emotion over the past year,” he said. “The George Floyd murder hung very heavily. When we got involved in this work, it’s a promise to our children to build a better world. I felt I had failed on my promise.

“Recently my friend Leroy Rosenior said to me, ‘Shaka, you can’t feel it like that. See this as a relay. We’re running the third leg. It is up to us to deliver the baton to our kids in the best position, and give them the courage and confidence to run the final leg’.

“That was empowering. It shed me of the guilt I was feeling. We went into Boston and joined a Black Lives Matter march. You see the youth and diversity of the crowd, and the energy, and that is when I recognised what Leroy was saying.

“It’s work that was started so long ago, generations, and continued through the abolition of slavery and the civil rights movement. In football, work that Viv Anderson, Laurie Cunningham and John Barnes all did. All they had to endure.”

At Christmas, 25 years ago, Newcastle were 10 points ahead at the top of the table. Manchester United clawed it back to take the trophy. Hislop recalled: “It was an intoxicating time. At least something good came out of 1995, if not a trophy!

“I felt if you come up short, learn, you eventually win it. But the disappointment was soul-crushing.

“Then the club went public (on the stock exchange) to raise capital. Kevin Keegan was replaced in the fallout.

“Instead of building on that season, we fell off track and the club has not been able to recover since.”

But there are powerful words on how supportive his team-mates were, on and off the pitch, joining in his school visits about racism.

Hislop added: “We would go out regularly, as a team. Every single player, 30 strong, from Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand, to the young lads who had signed first-year contracts. That was unifying and powerful.

“And my team-mates joined the SRTRC school visits, and helped make films.

“There was no more powerful experience I could have had as a young man of 25.”
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Tallman on December 08, 2020, 06:56:25 PM: Shaka Hislop exclusive interview: Fans booing players taking the knee was heartbreaking - but not surprising
By Simon Collings (Evening Standard)

Shaka Hislop reflects on the shocking scenes at Millwall and Colchester, pauses for a moment and then admits the fans’ reaction to players taking a knee didn’t surprise him.

The former West Ham goalkeeper was “heartbroken” to hear fans booing players supporting the Black Lives Matter movement at The Den and the JobServe Community Stadium.

But, having worked for 25 years with anti-racism education charity Show Racism the Red Card (SRTRC), he knows how much work remains in the fight to rid the game of inequality and racism.

“It was heartbreaking, but at the same time not really surprising,” he says.

“I say that disappointingly. I firmly believe in the work that has gone for generations, for centuries. I firmly believe in the work that will continue.

“I believe in this movement and the continued show of support by taking the knee. I think that opens up conversations about our experiences, about changes that have been made for so long before and what still needs to happen.

“But it also exposes a lot of ignorance around the issue, how inequality and racism has become a part of the fabric of our society today.”

For Hislop, education is the answer and it is why he works with SRTRC — Hislop helped found them in 1995 and they celebrate their 25th anniversary tomorrow. The charity’s work centres around educating people, mainly pupils in schools, about racism.

He was playing for Newcastle at the time of the launch and sent a £50 donation to now CEO and founder Ged Grebby after being racially abused while filling up his car at a petrol station.

Grebby was working with Youth against Racism in Europe and Hislop reached out to him in the wake of his own experience, which had a defining impact on him.

“Three youths came walking over the hill, shouting racist abuse at me,” Hislop recalls. “Then as they got closer, one recognised who I was and they started to chant my name, asking if they could come over for autographs.

On the pitch, Hislop doesn’t recall directly suffering racist abuse, but he has painful memories of fearing for his wife Desha at matches.

“She was there and exposed to it — and that was frightening to me,” he says. “But how do I tell my wife, who wants to come and see me play, not too?

“But I am standing on the field and I am worried about her safety. I am concerned and you really don’t breathe out until pretty much after the game when you can get on the bus to call and make sure she’s okay.”

It is clear those memories remain strong and clear in Hislop’s mind, but equally so does his belief that racism can be eradicated. He admits, though, that this year has tested his beliefs — particularly after the death of George Floyd in the US.

The 46-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest after a police officer knelt on his neck for nine and a half minutes after he had been arrested, and his death rocked Hislop, who felt he had failed his children by not delivering a better world through his work with SRTRC.

The 51-year-old confesses he was in a “really dark place”, until fellow ex professional Leroy Rosenior spoke to him.

“Leroy said to me: ‘You have to see this as a relay. The early legs were run for generations — from slavery, post colonisation and through the Civil Rights Movement. We have run our leg and it is now our responsibility to hand that baton to our kids to continue this fight — and to finish it’.

“That was empowering and I can’t thank Leroy enough.”

Hislop is more determined than ever to make a difference through SRTRC and he is convinced football can be a force for change, even after last weekend’s events.

“I have always felt football is the perfect vehicle to challenge these issues, to be that example,” he says.

“That’s what you saw from Colchester’s chairman [Robbie Cowling, who condemned fans who booed]. Despite what happened before, he set the example for that club and he set an example for so many.

“Players have shown the way forward and credit to those players at Millwall that continue to take the knee [the team will link arms with QPR tonight and the players will hold an anti-racism banner].

“But until every aspect of our game looks and feels like our high streets, until the diversity in football matches the diversity of our high streets, I don’t think we can truly claim success.”
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Tallman on January 05, 2021, 06:10:28 PM: As you seek success, "be fearless in your chase." In this talk, Shaka Hislop reminds us that culture, identity, and community are powerful weapons in our journey to success. Success is yours to define. Look around and harness the resources you have it is all you need to define your success. Neil Shaka Hislop is currently the soccer analyst and commentator for ESPN. When off the air, he is a founder/patron and Honorary President of the UK’s anti-racism educational charity ‘Show Racism the Red Card’. In 2019 he founded the Second Half Sport Foundation which collects second-hand and used soccer equipment for distribution and use by the TT Police Service in their kids and community outreach programs in some of T&T’s most at-risk communities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

https://www.youtube.com/v/jTmMxSyvx58
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Flex on January 08, 2021, 02:33:06 AM: Flashback: 2006 W/Cup star Shaka Hislop: ‘It’s hard for me to say how I’d want to be remembered…’
By Lasana Liburd (Wired868).

The following article, written by Lasana Liburd, was first published in the Trinidad Express on 15 February 2007:

For arguably the first time since Brazilian football legend, Pelé, put on a New York Cosmos shirt, the United States has turned its attention towards its own domestic league—after news that England and Real Madrid star David Beckham had signed for Los Angeles Galaxy in the US Major League Soccer (MLS) competition.

Already, ‘Becks’ has appeared on popular mainstream television show, ‘Good Morning America’, and is being wooed by Hollywood celebrities like Tom Cruise and Sylvester Stallone, while everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Jay Leno has mentioned ‘soccer’ in the past month.

In Dallas, Texas , a 37-year-old Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper is enjoying a more low-keyed preparation for the 2007 MLS season.

Shaka Hislop, whose unassuming nature is the perfect flip-side to ‘Beckham-mania’, might not get a mention if he turned up on Hollywood Boulevard but the two share one unmistakable similarity this year. Both men are desperate to defeat time, if only a little longer.

While Beckham, 31, must match his pre-Galaxy hype in the full glare of the media, Hislop is his own harshest critic as he prepares to enchant the US soccer purists.

The former Newcastle and West Ham custodian arrived in Dallas, last summer, on the wave of an eye catching show at the 2006 World Cup but managed just four appearances with ten goals conceded as Dallas clinched the Western Division but was eliminated in the Play Offs.

“I am disappointed with my own performance in the latter half of (last) season,” said Hislop, “but I had played for 18 months straight and, at 37, it was too much to ask of me physically. I needed a break.”

If a mediocre MLS debut, coupled with Beckham’s impending arrival, means that Hislop starts 2007 outside the media spotlight, he would not be any worse for the wear. Picture a typical shrug of the shoulders and his trademark ‘no worries’ retort.

“I am always happy to go about my business quietly,” said Hislop. “We started pre-season training [last week] and I am feeling good and really looking forward to this year. There will be a lot more focus on the MLS with ‘Becks’ here but that is better for all of us.”

Beckham and Hislop know each other well and crossed swords as recently as last June in Germany.

Beckham traveled across Europe at the helm of an English team which declared itself a World Cup title contender. Hislop landed in Germany as back-up to Gillingham custodian Kelvin Jack, a relatively obscure name on the international scene.

For a few days, though, Hislop upstaged Beckham as the Soca Warriors held Sweden to a historic goalless draw and then threatened to repeat the feat against England—before falling, in controversial fashion, to two late goals.

Hislop’s performance on Trinidad and Tobago’s opening encounter drew generous praise from Sweden and Inter Milan star Zlatan Ibrahimovic although the former St Mary’s College student did not know he would play until ten minutes before kick off.

In practice sessions leading up to the match, Hislop seemed to have even fallen behind Walsall goalkeeper Clayton Ince in the pecking order.

“I left the team hotel on the afternoon of the game thinking I was number three,” said Hislop. “But, for me, Germany was about a lot more than just playing football. It was about being Trinbagonian and being a part of Trinidad and Tobago ’s first appearance on such a famous stage.

“It was just minutes before kick off that Kelvin told me he couldn’t make it and [coach] Leo [Beenhakker] said ‘get ready’. I had ten minutes to prepare and it probably suited me best because it meant there were no pre-match nerves or sleepless nights, which sometimes affect you before big games.”

Hislop described the Sweden fixture as ‘the proudest moment’ of his life as a player and a person. He paid special credit, though, to Jack who tearfully accepted that he was not fully fit and allowed Hislop the chance to shine.

“I have always said after that Kelvin’s decision was the bravest I ever saw anyone make in football,” said Hislop. “Kelvin was number one from as soon as Leo took over and I do not think we would have qualified if not for him. I knew I was [in Germany] as number two to support his confidence and help him prepare and I took my role very seriously.

“Kelvin is a strong fellah and very strong willed and, although everyone knew he was struggling [with a knee injury], I always thought he would pull through in the end. But I was quietly preparing myself just in case.”

If Hislop now seems as far removed as possible from his heroics in Dortmund, this has as much to do with the peculiar relations between the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (T&TFF) and its World Cup stars as it does his new home address.

After 24 appearances at senior international level, eight years’ service, seven clean sheets, two Concacaf Gold Cup tournaments and one World Cup, Hislop’s journey to retirement passed without so much as a polite parting message from the T&TFF.

Apart from a cursory word about the now infamous World Cup bonus offer, new head coach Wim Rijsbergen never explained—as a mark of respect—why Hislop was no longer needed while the T&TFF failed to thank him for his services or offer him the fitting farewell received by former stand-outs like David Nakhid and Russell Latapy.

“People have come up to me [since the World Cup] and suggested that they would support the idea of a testimonial match,” he said. “But it is not something I really deliberated on. It suits me either way.”

He had more to say on the present stand-off between the World Cup players and the administration but again preferred to take a conciliatory approach.

“It is disappointing,” said Hislop, “but I think a lot of people are making more out of it than they should. It is just a disagreement and, for a long time, I have been saying that we need a PFA (players’ football association) to deal with things like this because it is not a job for players.

“These types of disagreements happen all the time in football and are dealt with quietly and professionally behind closed doors. But a lot of people in [local] football have continually fought against a footballers union and have to take responsibility for what happened.

“This whole matter should be sorted out; or I hope it is sorted out. But this dispute should set a precedent and be used as a benchmark for the set up of a players’ union.”

Hislop again raised the question of a players’ union when the Warriors returned from Germany and pointed out that Pro League chairman, Larry Romany, and chief executive officer, Dexter Skeene, pledged their support for the idea, which was ‘a big step in the right direction’.

Unfortunately, his career does not afford him the time to help, at present, but he is interested in playing a role after his retirement. Hislop, who holds a Howard degree in mechanical engineering, would be tipped to have as much success in that profession as he has enjoyed on the field.

Once Britain’s most expensive goalkeeper, when he joined Newcastle in a ₤1.75 million (TT$21.3 million) move from Reading in 1995, Hislop is easily the most famous Trinidad and Tobago player of all time between the uprights.

Former England international, David Seaman, famously signed autographs as ‘Safe Hands’ during his pomp but Hislop made no attempt to influence how others remember him.

“It is tough to say [how I would like to be remembered],” said Hislop. “I remember as a boy, Bobby De Gale, was my hero and I would go sit behind the goal in Diamond Vale and watch him save. To this day, I maintain that [former national and Defence Force goalkeeper] Ross Russell is the most talented goalkeeper that I have ever worked with.

“Those goalkeepers are barely known outside Trinidad and Tobago but had a major impact on my professional level. So [out of respect for them], it is hard for me to say how I would want to be remembered.”

Hislop’s legacy appeared to have gone largely unnoticed by the T&TFF but the six foot four custodian is a celebrated figure outside his homeland.

In April 2005, Hislop was awarded the England Players Football Association (PFA) Special Merit Award for his services to football.

To put this gong into context, the previous recipient was England ’s all-time leading scorer and ex-Manchester United legend, Bobby Charlton, while Hislop is the only the second foreign recipient of the prize since the great Pelé.

Beckham, as it were, is not the only international star in the MLS who is following the footsteps of arguably the world’s greatest player.

Naturally, Hislop’s route is less photographed.

Last December, the former US All-American student athlete stopped off at Washington DC to receive the inaugural ‘Caribbean Pathfinder Award’, which was offered by Rumors Events in honour of his ‘exemplary life’ and ‘distinctive contribution to the Caribbean community’.

Hislop, who is also the co-founder and the first Hall of Fame inductee in renowned British anti-racism group, Show Racism The Red Card, confessed that he was as proud of his mark off the field as his achievements on it.

But he has one final nut to crack.

“The MLS is definitely a higher standard than I was expecting,” said Hislop. “I think it would be unfair to compare it to the British leagues, which is a lot faster and more physical.

“But the MLS does have a lot of different styles [of play] because the US, by its very nature, attracts people from all over the world, which gives it a certain uniqueness. It is a growing game but clearly it has the ability to attract top players.”

Hislop is one such top player. Beckham had better watch out.
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Tallman on February 04, 2021, 04:16:55 PM: Wired868 launches its first podcast, The Burdie & Barney Show, with a special guest: ESPN analyst and former England Premier League goalkeeper and Trinidad and Tobago 2006 World Cup star Shaka Hislop!

Listen to the extended B&B pilot as Hislop reveals why he turned down Manchester United, players’ rights in the Caribbean, the day that then West Ham manager Harry Redknapp laid down the law, and what Russell Latapy’s career owes to a certain former Fatima College right back! (https://wired868.com/2021/01/21/bb-shaka-hislop-on-blm-turning-down-manchester-utd-and-the-development-of-russell-latapy/)
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: asylumseeker on February 04, 2021, 07:04:56 PM: Quote from: Tallman on February 04, 2021, 04:16:55 PM
Wired868 launches its first podcast, The Burdie & Barney Show, with a special guest: ESPN analyst and former England Premier League goalkeeper and Trinidad and Tobago 2006 World Cup star Shaka Hislop!

Listen to the extended B&B pilot as Hislop reveals why he turned down Manchester United, players’ rights in the Caribbean, the day that then West Ham manager Harry Redknapp laid down the law, and what Russell Latapy’s career owes to a certain former Fatima College right back! (https://wired868.com/2021/01/21/bb-shaka-hislop-on-blm-turning-down-manchester-utd-and-the-development-of-russell-latapy/)

I started listening to this last week but didn't have the time to dedicate to the full episode, but returned to it today when I saw the upcoming episode previewed.

Good production. Two comments and experiences come to mind. Will share one and leave the comment about Spain for another time.

A comment was made about 8 year olds and documentation of play. There is generally an exception to almost every rule. The case of Uruguay stands out. Some time back I posted snippets about my experiences there and alluded to the intensity in that age group. Unlike anything else I've seen. View these videos. One is from 2014 and the other is from a few weeks ago. Note that these kids are playing (Richard G) and note the calibre. I am yet to see another country with football as democratic and omnipresent as it is in Uruguay.

Anyhow, I raise that because of the discussion. I know of a very, very, very good coach who is a documenting machine in this age group. He documents and that information becomes useful down the road. Three, four, five years later. A cumulation of info exists about each player as the player moves up the ladder. Documentation is a function of knowing what to document.

Ignore the language, take in the scene or maybe subtitles if that helps.

https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/video/baby-futbol-menores-uruguay-pkg-dario-klein/

3 million population; 65,000 playing in these age groups 6-13 each weekend and 600 clubs across the country. Emphasis: win.

https://youtube.com/v/c2L6fZqFPaY
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Flex on February 24, 2021, 02:12:23 AM: Hislop wants grit, determination of T&T football.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).

The intricacies of T&T's preparation ahead of the opening World Cup qualifier against Guyana on March 25 in the Dominican Republic is having little to no effect on former national goalkeeper, now ESPN football analyst Shaka Hislop.

The former St Mary's graduate who has stood between the uprights for the Soca Warriors for more than two World Cup Qualifiers, told Guardian Media Sports in an interview on Tuesday that he is eager to see a performance that says that T&T football has found its resilience once more.

Local football has been hard-hit by improper preparation that stems from a persistent coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has hampered the Normalisation Committee to secure warm-up matches, and has prevented T&T from gaining home advantage against the Guyanese on March 25.

Hislop, who played at the 2006 World Cup in Germany said he has been disheartened by the negative reactions to the series of set-backs in the World Cup campaign to date, most of which have questioned the ability of the team to earn a qualifying berth, without a ball being kicked.

The normalisation committee, being led by businessman Robert Hadad announced on Saturday that the T&T vs Guyana World Cup match was moved from T&T and will now be played in the Dominican Republic, a decision that came after sports and community development minister Shamfa Cudjoe told the public that the home-match would not get the approval of the government and the Ministry of Health, if the country's international players, who are expected in for the match, were not subjected to a mandatory quarantine period.

Shaka, a former English Premier League custodian with West Ham United said it is from these challenges that the country's footballers can capitalise.

"It's giving us an opportunity to prove to ourselves that we can adjust, we can adapt whatever the circumstance. For me, the kind of excuse-making and finger-pointing that is happening now, before we've kicked a single ball, points to a lot more than just the Normalisation Committee or the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sports and the T&T Football Association, not being in sync. We have got to take these punches and roll with them. To see how we've reacted is a little disappointing to me, looking in from the outside," Hislop said.

Shaka, who celebrated his 52nd birthday on Monday and who is very outspoken on T&T football further stated: "I hope to see a performance and a result to show that our football has found its resilience again. After the disappointment of 2019 and those disappointing results, we need to show that we can bounce back. We needed to show that we're able to raise our game against both lesser and better opposition, that we're prepared to roll our sleeves up and fight and grind results out in a way that I don't think we've done since the US qualifier for Russia 2018."

The T&T footballers resumed training for this country's 2022 Qatar World Cup final on February 17 with a 23-player training squad under coach Terry Fenwick after the team's 7-0 drubbing in a friendly international match against the USA on January 31 in the USA.

The Soca Warriors opening match against Guyana will be played at a neutral venue in the Dominican Republic which do not have COVID-19 quarantine protocols.

Following the Guyana match, the Soca Warriors will play their next two matches away to Puerto Rico on March 28 and then the Bahamas on April 5. They will complete the group phase with a match against St Kitts/Nevis on April 8 at home, needing to top the group to be able to advance.
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Tallman on March 22, 2021, 05:09:14 AM: WATCH: Shaka Hislop calls for UEFA to take meaningful action on racial abuse (https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/31109585). He shares his thoughts on Glen Kamara's claims of racial abuse during Rangers' match vs. Slavia Prague.
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Tallman on February 23, 2022, 09:54:20 PM: Newcastle goalkeeping legend Shaka Hislop gets freedom of city
BBC

Newcastle United legend Shaka Hislop is to be awarded the freedom of the city.

The 53-year-old is getting the accolade for his key role in setting up anti-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card in 1996 while playing for Kevin Keegan.

Newcastle City Council is expected to approve the move next week.

Lord mayor Habib Rahman said it was "absolutely well-deserved" and Mr Hislop was "exactly the kind of Geordie citizen we should consider giving our highest honour to".

His decision to combat discrimination came after a well-known incident in which he was racially abused by a group of youngsters at a petrol station opposite St James' Park - before one of them realised who he was and came to ask for autographs instead.

The charity, with its headquarters in North Shields, grew out of a £50 donation and letter of support that Mr Hislop sent to founder Ged Grebby.

It now delivers educational sessions to more than 50,000 people across the UK every year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Mr Rahman, the lord mayor of Newcastle and a passionate anti-racism campaigner, said: "There is no one more deserving than him, for everything he has done as a player for Newcastle United and as an ambassador for Show Racism the Red Card in helping to make our wonderful city the diverse and tolerant place it is.

"I would be honoured, as the city's first black lord mayor, to offer Shaka Hislop the Freedom of the City."

If approved by councillors next week, the former Trinidad and Tobago international will follow in the footsteps of the former Bishop of Newcastle Christine Hardman in being granted the honour.

Other recent recipients also include former Byker councillor George Allison, ex-NUFC chairman Freddy Shepherd and his brother Bruce, and Great North Run founder Sir Brendan Foster.

Mr Hislop joined Newcastle in 1995 and spent three years at the club, finishing runner up in the Premier League twice. He went on to play for West Ham and Portsmouth and retired in 2007.
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Tallman on May 14, 2022, 06:42:45 PM: Pride as ex-Newcastle United footballer Shaka Hislop receives Freedom of Newcastle
By Sophie Finnegan (Newcastle Chronicle)

The deputy mayor of Newcastle City Council has expressed her pride as ex-Newcastle United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop was awarded Freedom of Newcastle.

Councillor Karen Kilgour said Hislop "used his status as a black professional football player" to challenge racism in society during a ceremony at the Civic Centre on Friday night.

Hislop was subjected to a sickening racist attack by youths and from there helped found Show Racism the Red Card which has grown into the UK’s biggest anti-racism education charity.

Show Racism the Red Card is celebrating its 26th anniversary this year. Since 1996 more than 850,000 young people have taken part in the charity’s anti-racism workshops.

Coin Kilgour said racism towards football has "not gone away" and said the work of Show Racism the Red Card continues to be "vital".

She said: "Shaka Hislop realised he could use his status as a black professional football player to make a difference and through education, could challenge racism in society

"He and his fellow teammates spoke at Newcastle schools about his experiences and from that grew what is now an internationally-recognised, although I'm really proud to say still North East-based, charity.

"As you have seen over the last few years, racism towards footballers and in society generally has not gone away. The abhorrent racist abuse suffered online by young black England players following defeat in the Euro 2020 final is proof of that.

"Our footballers continue to take a knee before each match to highlight and condemn racism and racist discrimination.

"The Black Lives Matter movement is as important and relevant as ever and the work of Show Racism the Red Card continues to be vital. And it is in this context that I was absolutely delighted to nominate Shaka Hislop for the freedom of our great city."

Hislop told Chronicle Live today: "It means an awful lot to me. As much of an honour as this is though my mind goes back 25 years when this campaign started.

Speaking about being awarded freedom of the city, Shaka said: "This (freedom of the city) was not our motivation, it was going into schools and communities with my team-mates, and trying to give back. This was a city where we were plying our trade and raising our kids.

"To come from that to where we are now and see everything this campaign has achieved in the last 25 years has been surreal in some respects. It is an incredible honour to receive this award on behalf of so many people that have contributed."
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Tallman on July 16, 2022, 03:20:35 PM: Shaka Hislop setting the pace in the race to beat racism
By Johnny Phillips (Express & Star)

Shaka Hislop had only recently moved to Newcastle United when, in 1996, he stopped at a petrol stadium opposite St James’s Park to fill up his car on the way home from a meal out with his family in the city.

“A group of youths came walking down the hill and started shouting racist abuse at me,” he explains. “As they got closer one of them recognised who I was and the tone turned and they started asking for autographs. It spoke to the duality of what life was like for me back then. From Sunday to Friday I was a black man who could be subjected to this, and on Saturday I was a footballer whose name was being sung. I wanted to use the platform that came with being a footballer to speak about racism.”

Earlier this week Hislop was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Newcastle for his work as an anti-racism educator in the city and beyond. The title follows a similarly prestigious occasion earlier in the summer when he was awarded the Freedom of the City of Newcastle in recognition of his work with Show Racism the Red Card.

Back in the mid-Nineties Ged Grebby was an active member in Youth against Racism in Europe, which sent educational packs to schools. Some of the literature got into the hands of Hislop, who pledged a £50 donation and publicised their work. In the following months the pair took time to chat and Show Racism the Red Card was founded.

On Monday the charity celebrated its 25th anniversary in Kings Cross – delayed by a year because of the pandemic - and Hislop, the charity’s Honorary President, was the star turn on a speakers’ panel which also included Grebby and Liverpool MP Kim Johnson among other figures from Unite, Unison and the National Education Union.

Hislop enjoyed 14 years in the English game, beginning at Reading in 1992 before moving on to Newcastle, Portsmouth and two spells with West Ham. But his legacy extends far beyond the pitch, with his tireless educational work in anti-racism continuing to this day.

“Off the back of a racist incident and a conversation with Ged we just wanted to make a difference in our community and shape a better city, a better society, for our own children to grow up in,” Hislop continues. “It hit me hardest in 2020 at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement where I felt that we had failed in that most basic starting point. I was talking to Leroy Rosenior over Zoom and he said, ‘Shaka, you have to see this as a relay race. We are moving this as far forward and running as good a leg as we can and handing the baton to the next generation, who then must run their leg.’ I have become comfortable in knowing that I will not live in that utopian world where we aren’t talking about racism and aren’t talking about inequality. I have become comfortable in running my leg of that race and I am now more focussed on how I can move the baton as far forward as I possibly can.”

A report this week revealed that more than 100 hate crime offences were recorded in London stadiums alone, between 1 June 2021 and 31 May this year. Football, mirroring society, is still struggling to deal with racism. Earlier this year, the Home Office announced that football banning orders would be extended to cover online hate offences, meaning online trolls could be banned from attending matches for up to 10 years in England and Wales. That followed the incidents at Euro 2020 last year when 11 people were arrested for racially abusing England’s Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka following the penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy in the final at Wembley.

Today’s players are experiencing racism on different platforms to Hislop. The former Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper recognises this but is buoyed by the changing attitudes from those prevalent among his peers in and around the dressing room during the 1990s.

“At the time a lot of black footballers were told it was part of the territory that you endured that abuse and didn’t do anything about it,” he adds. “I felt I owed my kids the responsibility to speak about it. One of the things that has struck me as being different and impactful today is that footballers are speaking up louder, they are using their platforms to better effect. Especially since 2020, people are recognising the complaints of the black communities, what our communities have been complaining about for generations, and they are starting to do something about it.”

Show Racism the Red Card works closely with many footballers and uses the status of the sport to help tackle racism in society. The charity has also expanded into other sports, with cricketer Monty Panesar among the guests on Monday night. Most of the work involves the delivery of educational workshops to young people and adults in schools, workplaces and at events held in football stadiums. This has led to Show Racism the Red Card delivering education sessions to more than 50,000 individuals every year.

“I think we have only just started running,” Hislop concludes. “Racism has been hundreds of years in the making and it will be hundreds of years in the dismantling. We’ve gotten off to a start and we have to recognise the impact we’ve had even though there is a long way to go.”
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: soccerman on July 23, 2023, 08:07:23 PM: Just watched Shaka fainted live pitch side on ESPN....surely hope everything's alright.
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: asylumseeker on July 23, 2023, 09:14:34 PM: Dan Thomas tweeted the following an hour ago:

"Shaka is conscious. The medics are looking after him."

That was rough to look at --- and I didn't see it live. It's your post that triggered my attention and concern.
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: soccerman on July 23, 2023, 09:48:42 PM: Yeah Dan spoke on it at halftime and said he's okay. I was concerned as well as they went to a commercial in the midst of everything with Dan was clearly terrified.
Shaka glad to hear you're okay and you're have some awareness as to what's going on. Everyone's happy to hear that! Hope you get back to your normal self soon!
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Tallman on July 24, 2023, 07:47:36 AM: ESPN soccer analyst Shaka Hislop is ‘OK’ after on-air collapse before AC Milan-Real Madrid friendly
By Ryan Young (Yahoo Sports)

ESPN soccer analyst Shaka Hislop is fine after he collapsed live on air during AC Milan and Real Madrid’s friendly at the Rose Bowl in Southern California on Sunday night.

Hislop was speaking with ESPN’s Dan Thomas before the game live on the network when he suddenly started swaying on the sidelines. Hislop then fell face first and hit Thomas slightly. The broadcast then cut to commercial in what was a terrifying scene.

Thomas quickly provided an update on social media that Hislop was conscious.

Thomas appeared live during halftime of the match to announce that Thomas was both conscious and talking, and that “he’s apologized profusely.” Specific details about his condition or what led to his collapse aren’t known.

“As you can imagine, seeing that happen live, there can’t be many more things that can scare you amongst a family, but we spoke to his wife and things are looking OK,” Thomas said.

Hislop, 54, played soccer professionally for 15 years, and was the starting goalie for Trinidad and Tobago’s men’s national team during the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. He played in Europe for Newcastle United, West Ham and Portsmouth before playing two seasons with FC Dallas in Major League Soccer. He retired in 2007.
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: asylumseeker on July 24, 2023, 09:42:35 AM: The anti-vaccine lobby has wasted little time in trying to get mileage for their cause through this incident. Jackassness!
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Tallman on July 24, 2023, 04:57:34 PM: Shaka Hislop's message after collapsing at the Rose Bowl.

https://www.youtube.com/v/8FPvDz5xLCw
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Flex on July 25, 2023, 01:24:41 AM: Ex-Soca Warrior Hislop: Sometimes life gives you a moment to pause.
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).

FORMER Trinidad and Tobago goal-keeper Shaka Hislop appreciates the support he has received after fainting during a live broadcast on ESPN on Sunday. He said he plans to seek medical advice.

Hislop, 54, was at the Rose Bowl in California, US doing commentary for a preseason match between AC Milan and Real Madrid.

Hislop was seen wobbling before falling to the ground. His colleague, Dan Thomas quickly shouted for help, saying, "Shak, Shak. We need some help."

A short while later, Thomas said Hislop was looking "okay."

On social media, Hislop said, "Hi everyone...I am feeling much better...ego still hurts like hell though. Sometimes life gives you a moment to pause. This was mine. And I have to pay attention. Thanks for all your messages. My apologies if I can't get to them all. But please know I've read every one, and appreciate you reaching out."

In another social media post, Hislop said, "My response now has to be to seek out the best medical help I could get and listen to what my doctors have to say."

Hislop said he is thankful for his wife, children, family, friends, ESPN and Thomas.

Hislop represented TT at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the only time this country competed at the prestigious tournament.

He pulled off some brilliant saves in the team's 0-0 draw against Sweden.

People and sporting bodies have been sending their best wishes including the TT Football Association and Hislop's colleague at ESPN Ian Darke.

On Facebook, the TTFA said, "Our prayers are with Shaka and his family right now."

Darke, a popular English football commentator, said on Twitter, "Sending my very best to a much-loved ESPN colleague Shaka Hislop. Get well very, very soon, Shaka."

WATCH Shaka Hislop's message after collapsing at the Rose Bowl | ESPN FC (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FPvDz5xLCw)
Title: Re: Shaka Hislop Thread.
Post by: Peong on July 30, 2023, 04:15:50 PM: I saw him do espnfc remotely probably from home. He say he fainted. Hope he good

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