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Shaka Hislop

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Shaka Hislop
CM
Personal information
Full name Neil Shaka Hislop
Date of birth (1969-02-22)22 February 1969(age 55)
Place of birth Hackney,London,England
Height 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1987–1991 Howard Bison
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1995 Reading 104 (0)
1995–1998 Newcastle United 53 (0)
1998–2002 West Ham United 105 (0)
2002–2005 Portsmouth 93 (0)
2005–2006 West Ham United 16 (0)
2006–2007 FC Dallas 10 (0)
Total 381 (0)
International career
1998 England U21 1 (0)
1999–2006 Trinidad and Tobago 26 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Neil Shaka HislopCM(born 22 February 1969) is a Britishfootballcommentatorand former player who played as agoalkeeper.Born in England, he played for them at under-21 level before representing Trinidad and Tobago at senior international level.

Hislop spent majority of his playing career in the top division in England where he was a part of theNewcastle Unitedteam which finished second in thePremier Leaguefor two successive seasons underKevin Keegan's first tenure. Before this, he played forReading,where he was on the losing side in theFirst Division play-offsdespite finishing second overall (the only occasion on which second place was not an automatic promotion position). He later played forWest Ham Unitedon two occasions (receiving anFA Cuprunners-up medal during his second season in 2006) and also forPortsmouth(where he won theFirst Divisionin 2002/03).

Hislop was eligible to play for bothEnglandandTrinidad and Tobago.He initially played for theEngland U-21 teamand was on the bench for a full International againstChile,but in the end opted to play for Trinidad and Tobago. A dispute with the national team ruled him out of contention for several years, but he returned to play and starred in the country's first ever World Cup appearance in2006.

Hislop is now working for sports news and broadcasting serviceESPNwhere he is most often seen as a commentator onESPN FC.He had also briefly worked as a goalkeeping coach for the football team atQuinnipiac University.

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

At an early age, Hislop wanted to be a striker, but was thrust in goal as he was the tallest player on his team. He eventually grew to just under 6'5 "in height.[2]After graduating fromSt. Mary's CollegeinTrinidad,Hislop earned a scholarship to playcollege socceratHoward Universityin the United States and led his team to theNCAAFinal as a freshman starter. He graduated from Howard with honours with adegreein Mechanical Engineering. During this time, he interned atNASA.[3]

Reading

[edit]

Shortly after graduating, Hislop was spotted by a scout fromReadingat a friendly indoor match againstAston Villaof thePremier League.He went on to sign professional forms with Reading for the1992–93 seasonand remained there for two more years. While there, he established himself as a firm fan favourite after an uncertain start, twice earning the club's "Player of the Year" award. He was instrumental inReading's rise from the third tier of English football to the brink of thePremier League,where he narrowly missed out on promotion following a 4–3 defeat toBolton Wanderersin the 1995 play-off final,[4]and was voted the club's Player of the Season in 1994–95. Hislop was one of many Reading players to move that summer of 1995, signing withNewcastle Unitedfor £1.575m. In a poll to compile theRoyals' greatest-ever XI, Hislop was voted the bestgoalkeeperwith 46.7% of the vote ahead ofSteve DeathandMarcus Hahnemann.[5]He was also voted joint third along with Death in a poll to decide the club's 'Player of the Millennium'.

Newcastle United

[edit]

Hislop's first season atNewcastle Unitedwas spent battling with incumbent goalkeeperPavel Srníčekfor the starting role. After starting strongly and being the starter through until December 1995, Hislop suffered an injury againstChelseathat allowed Srníček to regain the starting role.[6]Hislop then didn't return until April 1996 for the final 6 games of the season.[7]That season Newcastle blew a 12-point lead in January to finish the season in second place.

In 1996–97, Hislop started the first league game of the season againstEvertonbut then remained on the bench thereafter. He had to watch Srníček tend the nets until a perceived dip in form and a number of mistakes from Srníček allowed Hislop to take the starting role back again in December 1996, and he made only his second league start of the year in a 7–1 defeat ofTottenham Hotspur.Hislop successfully retained the starting position until the final 4 games of the season when Srníček returned, as Newcastle pippedArsenalandLiverpoolto second place on goal difference at the end of the season.[8]

Hislop's role further came under threat when new managerKenny Dalglishopted to purchase a former player of his own fromBlackburn Rovers.Dalglish brought inShay Given,costing £1.5 million, and a season-long battle for the number one spot ensued between the two goalkeepers. Given initially started the season, but after a string of defeats and five games without a win, Dalglish went back to Hislop in November and he stayed there until an injury in February allowed Given back into the frame. With his contract running out, and having not yet managed to play a full season at Newcastle, Hislop chose to leave on a free transfer.

West Ham United

[edit]

West Ham Unitedhad operated a "goalkeeper by committee" approach the previous season, seeing firstLuděk Mikloško,thenCraig Forrest,thenBernard Lamahold the starting role. With Mikloško now withQueens Park Rangersand with the team being unable to secure Lama beyond his three-month loan,Harry Redknappsnapped up Hislop and installed him as first choice goalkeeper.

In 1998–99, Hislop's first season saw him provide excellent service to the team, culminating in winning the "Hammer of the Year" award at the first attempt. His following season seemed to be following suit until he broke his leg in a match againstBradford City.[9]The game saw youngStephen Bywatermake his league debut in a 5–4 victory, but signalled the end of Hislop's season.

Hislop returned the following year in 2000–01 but in a tumultuous season, he saw his manager fired, and two of the club's most promising players inRio FerdinandandFrank Lampardsold on. His performances were strong in an unsettled team. However, new managerGlenn Roederpurchased the unsettledDavid JamesfromAston Villa,who had publicly fallen foul of his managerJohn Gregory.The deal was seen as a coup for West Ham, though it resigned Hislop to the bench for what was seen to be his final season with the club as James (a year younger) was intended to be the obvious long-term option.

However, before the 2001–02 season could even start, James tore his knee ligaments onEngland-duty after a collision withMartin Keown.The injury ruled James out for the first three months of the season. Hislop instantly stepped back into his starting role and kept five clean sheets in his 12 appearances that year for the club (though he also featured in the back to back drubbings fromEverton5–0[10]andBlackburn Rovers7–1.[11]However, James reclaimed the starting role, and on 1 July 2002, Hislop left the club on a free transfer.[12]

Portsmouth

[edit]

Hislop joinedPortsmouthafter Harry Redknapp became their new manager. He quickly asserted himself as the starter in the side that won theFirst Divisiontitle, ensuring automatic promotion to the Premier League. In recognition of his exploits for the season he was named in the First Division's 'Team of the Year' and remained first choice for the next two seasons in the Premiership, despite competition fromHarald Wapenaarand later,Jamie Ashdown.In January 2005, following the replacement of Redknapp as manager, his replacementVelimir Zajecsigned Greek internationalKonstantinos Chalkiasand Hislop faced more competition for a place on the team.

Following the appointment of a new managerAlain Perrin,Hislop failed to regain his starting place in favour of ex-LiverpoolkeeperSander Westerveld,and when his contract expired in June 2005, he was released by the club.

Return to West Ham

[edit]

On 29 July 2005, Hislop rejoined West Ham as experienced cover along withJimmy Walkerfor new signingRoy Carroll,allowingStephen Bywaterto go out on loan. Carroll started strongly but a back injury saw Hislop make occasional appearances through the season until Christmas. In January, Carroll's injury forced him to the physio's table once again, and Hislop stepped back into the fold as the starter (rotating with Walker). He featured in everyFA Cupgame as the team made its way to the final againstLiverpool,keeping seven clean sheets in 27 appearances. TheFA Cup Finalfinished 3–3 after a late equaliser fromSteven Gerrardin the 91st minute. Hislop savingSami Hyypiä's penalty was not enough for his team as Liverpool won the game 3–1 on penalty kicks afterAnton Ferdinandmissed the final West Ham spot kick of the day.

FC Dallas

[edit]

On 5 July 2006, Hislop signed forMajor League SoccerteamFC Dallasin the United States. After suffering a back injury, Hislop left FC Dallas and retired from professional football in August 2007.[13]

International career

[edit]

Youth

[edit]

Hislop was a youth international for Trinidad and Tobago. He had played in three games for Trinidad and Tobago before 1989.[14]

In 1992, he was called up to the Trinidad national football team but was an unused substitute in three games.[15]In May 1995, he said that he would prefer to play for England as he was born and raised there, and the standard of competition was higher.

England

[edit]

Hislop was called up for England againstChileatWembley Stadiumin February 1998.[16]A month later, at the age of 29, he was one of three over-age players selected to play for the England U-21 side againstSwitzerland.

Trinidad and Tobago

[edit]

Eventually, Hislop chose to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the senior level. He played a total of 26 times for the Twin Island nation, also captaining the team in five matches.

Hislop had announced his retirement from international football in 2004, citing the long journeys between England and the Caribbean as a factor,[17]but returned to the national team to aid them in the2006 FIFA World Cup Qualifiersat the request of the Trinidad and Tobago national team management. In 2005, he was part of theTrinidad and Tobagoside that qualified for the2006 World Cupwith a victory overBahrain.The draw for the World Cup placed them in Group B alongsideSweden,ParaguayandEngland.On 10 June 2006, Hislop played in the Trinidad and Tobago national team's first ever World Cup match, a 0–0 draw against Sweden, replacingKelvin Jackwho suffered a calf injury in the warm-up. Writing inThe Times,he would call the occasion 'the proudest day of his career'.[18]

Coaching career

[edit]

On 17 March 2009, Hislop signed a contract to be an assistant coach while primarily working with the goalkeepers of the Quinnipiac University football team.[19]After a brief period he resigned as coach due to his media commitments with ESPN.

Media work

[edit]

In 2008, Hislop began a weeklyblogcoveringMajor League Soccerfor the British newspaperThe Guardian'swebsite.He currently works as a commentator onESPN FC TVand in addition to commentary he has also interviewed several major footballing figures, including his former club managerHarry Redknappafter his move fromPortsmouthtoTottenham Hotspur,USA internationalgoalkeeperKasey Keller,and Portuguese managerJosé Mourinhoafter he ledChelseato the Premier League title in 2015.

Personal life

[edit]

Hislop married his wife, Desha, in 1995. He is the cousin of American sprint athleteNatasha Hastings.[20]He has 5 children.[21]

His brotherKonaplayed forLivingstonandHartlepool.[22][23]

In July 2023, Hislop collapsed on air while working as an analyst forESPNat theRose Bowl, Pasadena.[24]He later described the incident as "awkward" and said that he was seeking medical opinion.[25]

Career statistics

[edit]

(C.S. = Clean Sheets) (Con. = Conceded)

Club Season League League Cup1 League Cup2 Continental3 Other4 Total Discipline5
Apps C.S. Con. Apps C.S. Con. Apps C.S. Con. Apps C.S. Con. Apps C.S. Con. Apps C.S. Con. A yellow card A red card
Reading 1992–93 Second Division 12 – – 0 0 0 2 – – – 2 – – 16 – – – –
1993–94 46 – – 2 – – 4 – – – 4 – – 56 – – – –
1994–95 First Division 46 – – 1 – – 4 – – – 3 – – 54 – – – –
Total 104 – – 3 – – 10 – – 0 0 0 9 – – 126 – – – –
Newcastle United 1995–96 Premier League 24 10 23 0 0 0 4 – – – – 28 10 23 – –
1996–97 16 3 20 3 0 4 1 1 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 22 4 28 0 0
1997–98 13 2 14 3 1 2 3 2 2 2 1 1 – 21 6 19 0 0
Total 53 15 57 6 1 6 8 3 2 4 1 5 0 0 0 71 25 105 0 0
West Ham United 1998–99 Premier League 37 15 53 2 0 2 2 0 3 – – 41 15 58 0 1
1999–2000 22 4 29 1 0 1 3 1 7 9 4 6 – 35 9 43 1 1
2000–01 34 8 49 4 2 5 4 2 3 – – 42 12 57 1 0
2001–02 12 4 30 0 0 0 1 1 0 – – 13 5 30 0 0
Total 105 31 161 7 2 8 11 4 13 9 4 6 0 0 0 132 41 188 2 2
Portsmouth 2002–03 First Division 46 17 45 1 0 4 2 1 3 – – 49 18 52 1 0
2003–04 Premier League 30 6 40 4 1 7 0 0 0 – – 34 7 47 1 0
2004–05 17 3 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 – – 17 3 23 0 0
Total 93 26 108 5 1 11 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 100 28 122 2 0
West Ham United 2005–06 Premier League 16 5 21 7 2 8 2 0 3 – – 25 7 32 0 0
FC Dallas 2006 MLS 4 0 10 2 0 6 0 0 0 – – 6 0 16 0 0
2007 6 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 6 0 9 0 0
Total 10 0 19 2 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0 15 0 0
Career total 381 77 366 30 6 45 33 8 21 13 5 11 9 0 0 466 96 462 4 2

1– includesFA CupandU.S. Open Cup

2– includesEFL CupandMLS Cup Playoffs
 3– includesUEFA Cup,Intertoto CupandNorth American SuperLiga
 4– includesCharity ShieldandFootball League Trophy
 5– all of Hislop booking record, but coincidental all of the record from league appearances

Honours

[edit]

Howard Bison

Reading

Newcastle United

West Ham United

Portsmouth

Individual

Awards

[edit]

In April 2005, Hislop was named the inaugural winner of thePFASpecial Merit Award for his services to football. He has been a pioneer of football's 'Show Racism The Red Card' Campaign. He was also inducted into Howard University's Athletic Hall of Fame, only the fifth Association Football player to be so honoured.

Following the Trinidad and Tobago national team's inspirational performance in the World Cup, Hislop and his teammates were awarded theChaconia Medalin gold, the second highest national award for Trinidad and Tobago.[33]He is entitled to add the 'CM' suffix to his name, as and when desired.

In 2007, Hislop received the Alexander B. Chapman Award from the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee for outstanding contribution to sport and the promotion of Olympic ideals. He is a member of the Professional Footballer's Association's Roll of Honour, joiningPeléwith the distinction of being the only two non-British members.

On 10 July 2008, Hislop became the first member of the Trinidad and Tobago World Cup squad to be inducted into his country's SportingHall of Fame.[34]

It was announced on 23 February 2022 that he was to be awarded theFreedom of the CityofNewcastle upon Tyne.[35]

References

[edit]
  1. ^"2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players"(PDF).FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 29. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 10 June 2019.Retrieved4 January2019.
  2. ^"Extra Time - ESPN FC".YouTube.
  3. ^McCambridge, Ed (17 November 2021)."Exclusive: Shaka Hislop recalls working at NASA before becoming a Premier League goalkeeper".FourFourTwo.Retrieved21 August2024.
  4. ^"Match Report from 94/95 Play-off Final".
  5. ^"Revealed – The Royals' best-ever XI as voted for by fans on this site".Reading FC. 22 August 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 13 April 2008.
  6. ^"Petrescu mans Bridge of highs".Independent. 10 December 1995.Retrieved25 July2023.
  7. ^"Games played by Shaka Hislop in 1995/1996".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved25 July2023.
  8. ^"Games played by Shaka Hislop in 1996/1997".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved25 July2023.
  9. ^"Football News | Live Scores, Football Transfer News & Gossip".Sporting Life.Retrieved22 January2011.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^"Football News | Live Scores, Football Transfer News & Gossip".Sporting Life.Retrieved22 January2011.
  11. ^"Football News | Live Scores, Football Transfer News & Gossip".Sporting Life.Retrieved22 January2011.
  12. ^"BBC SPORT | Football | Transfers – July, 2002".BBC News.5 September 2002.Retrieved22 January2011.
  13. ^"Shaka Hislop Player Profile".Archived fromthe originalon 5 July 2014.
  14. ^"Howard Goalie Finds No Consolation in Second Place".The Washington Post. 6 September 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 11 June 2014.Retrieved8 February2014.
  15. ^"Hislop prepared for a giant leap".The Independent. 27 May 1995. Archived fromthe originalon 9 February 2014.Retrieved8 February2014.
  16. ^"England 0 Chile 2 [0–1]".englandfootballonline.com.Retrieved28 October2014.
  17. ^"Hislop set to quit internationals".BBC Sport.18 October 2004.
  18. ^"Shaka Hislop – The proudest moment of my career".The Times.12 June 2006.
  19. ^"Neil Shaka Hislop Named Men's and Women's Soccer Goalkeeper Coach".QUINNIPIACBOBCATS.com.17 March 2009.[permanent dead link]
  20. ^"World Championships: Christine Ohuruogu turns on the afterburners to rocket into final".The Independent.11 August 2013.
  21. ^Is Barcelona or Arsenal in a worse situation? | ESPN FC Extra Time,retrieved18 September2021
  22. ^"Shaka Hislop: Ask A Silly Question".FourFourTwo.19 March 2010.
  23. ^"Shaka donates boots to T&T Maestros".News Day.23 April 2018.
  24. ^"Shaka Hislop 'conscious' after collapsing on air in California".BBC Sport.24 July 2023.Retrieved26 July2023.
  25. ^"Shaka Hislop 'thankful' for support after on-air collapse at Real Madrid v AC Milan game".BBC Sport.25 July 2023.Retrieved26 July2023.
  26. ^"Neil Shaka Hislop: A World of experience".Quinnpiac Chronicle.15 April 2010.Retrieved8 June2022.
  27. ^"Since the 80's".Black Soccer Association.Retrieved8 June2022.
  28. ^Lynch.The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes.p. 150.
  29. ^David McKechnie (28 April 2003)."Henry lands PFA award".The Guardian.Retrieved14 January2023.
  30. ^"Newcastle legend Shaka Hislop awarded freedom of city".BBC News.3 March 2022.Retrieved18 May2022.
  31. ^"Shaka honoured with Freedom of City award".Trinadad Express.Retrieved18 May2022.
  32. ^"Shaka honoured, humbled by Freedom of the City award".Trinadad and Tobago Newsday.17 May 2022.Retrieved18 May2022.
  33. ^"Birchall and Bell up for award".BBC Sport.Retrieved6 September2021.
  34. ^"Shaka joins T&T Hall of Fame".SOCAWARRIORS.net.17 July 2008.
  35. ^"Newcastle goalkeeping legend Shaka Hislop gets freedom of city".BBC News.23 February 2022.Retrieved23 February2022.
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