Shaka Hislop facts for kids

Neil Shaka Hislop (born 22 February 1969) is a sports commentator and former professional football player. He was a goalkeeper. Shaka was born in England but played for the Trinidad and Tobago national team. He spent most of his playing career in England's top football league.

Hislop played for several well-known clubs like Newcastle United, West Ham United, and Portsmouth. He helped Newcastle United finish second in the Premier League twice. He also won the Football League First Division with Portsmouth in 2003. Shaka Hislop was part of the Trinidad and Tobago team that played in their first ever World Cup in 2006. Today, he works as a football commentator for ESPN.

Shaka Hislop's Football Journey

Starting Out in Football

When Shaka Hislop was young, he wanted to be a striker and score goals. But because he was the tallest player on his team, he ended up playing as a goalkeeper. He grew to be almost 6 feet 5 inches tall! After finishing school in Trinidad, Hislop received a scholarship to play college soccer in the United States at Howard University. He even interned at NASA while studying Mechanical Engineering.

Playing for Reading F.C.

After college, a scout from Reading saw Hislop play. He signed with Reading in 1992 and quickly became a fan favorite. He won the club's "Player of the Year" award twice. Hislop helped Reading move up from the third tier of English football. They almost reached the Premier League but lost in a play-off final in 1995. Fans still remember him as one of Reading's best goalkeepers.

Time at Newcastle United

In 1995, Hislop joined Newcastle United. He competed with another goalkeeper, Pavel Srníček, for the starting spot. During his time there, Newcastle finished second in the Premier League for two seasons in a row. This was a very exciting time for the club. Hislop faced more competition when Shay Given joined the team. After his contract ended, Hislop decided to leave Newcastle.

Two Stints with West Ham United

Hislop joined West Ham United in 1998. In his first season, he played very well and won the "Hammer of the Year" award. This award is given to the team's best player. However, he broke his leg in his second season, which ended his playing time for that year.

He returned to West Ham in 2000. Later, the club signed another famous goalkeeper, David James. Hislop became the backup, but when James got injured, Shaka stepped back in as the starter. He left West Ham in 2002.

In 2005, Hislop rejoined West Ham for a second time. He helped the team reach the FA Cup Final in 2006. The game was a thrilling 3-3 draw against Liverpool, but West Ham lost in a penalty shootout.

Winning with Portsmouth

After leaving West Ham, Hislop joined Portsmouth in 2002. He quickly became the main goalkeeper. He helped Portsmouth win the Football League First Division title, which meant they were promoted to the Premier League. He continued to be the first-choice goalkeeper for two more seasons in the top league.

Playing in the USA with FC Dallas

In 2006, Hislop moved to the United States to play for Major League Soccer team FC Dallas. He played there for a short time before a back injury led him to retire from professional football in August 2007.

Representing His Country

Playing for England and Trinidad and Tobago

Shaka Hislop was eligible to play for both England and Trinidad and Tobago. He played one game for the England Under-21 team. However, he eventually chose to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the senior level. He played 26 times for the "Soca Warriors," as the Trinidad and Tobago team is known. He even captained the team in five matches.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup

Hislop had retired from international football in 2004 because of the long trips between England and the Caribbean. But he returned to help Trinidad and Tobago qualify for the 2006 World Cup. In 2005, they made history by qualifying for the first time ever!

At the World Cup in Germany, Trinidad and Tobago were in a tough group with Sweden, Paraguay, and England. On 10 June 2006, Hislop played in Trinidad and Tobago's first ever World Cup match against Sweden. He had to step in at the last minute because the starting goalkeeper got injured during warm-up. Hislop played brilliantly, and the game ended in a 0-0 draw. He later called this moment "the proudest day of his career."

Life After Playing Football

Coaching and Media Work

After retiring from playing, Hislop briefly worked as an assistant coach for the football team at Quinnipiac University, focusing on goalkeepers. However, he soon left coaching to focus on his media career.

Since 2008, Hislop has been working as a commentator and analyst for ESPN FC. He writes a weekly blog about Major League Soccer for The Guardian newspaper's website. He also interviews many important football figures, like famous managers and players.

Shaka Hislop's Personal Life

Shaka Hislop married his wife, Desha, in 1995. He has five children. His cousin, Natasha Hastings, is a well-known American sprint athlete. His brother, Kona Hislop, also played professional football. In July 2023, Shaka Hislop had a health scare while working as an analyst for ESPN. He later said he was seeking medical advice.

Awards and Recognition

Shaka Hislop has received many awards for his contributions to football and society.

• In 2005, he won the PFA Special Merit Award for his work in football.
• He is a strong supporter of the 'Show Racism The Red Card' Campaign, which fights against racism in football.
• He was inducted into Howard University's Athletic Hall of Fame.
• In 2006, Hislop and his Trinidad and Tobago teammates received the Chaconia Medal in gold. This is the second highest national award in Trinidad and Tobago.
• In 2007, he received the Alexander B. Chapman Award from the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee for his outstanding contribution to sport.
• He is one of only two non-British members on the Professional Footballer's Association's Roll of Honour, alongside Pelé.
• In 2008, he became the first member of the 2006 World Cup squad to be inducted into Trinidad and Tobago's Sporting Hall of Fame.
• In 2022, he was awarded the Freedom of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne.

See also

In Spanish: Shaka Hislop para niños