Trinidad and Tobago may soon have a newly discovered English-born Premiership playing for its National Football Teams.
Ricky Shakes, a 19-year-old striker of Bolton Wanderers has indicated a willingness to play for the “Soca Warriors” and could be in this country by the coming weekend as he is also eligible to play for the country’s Under 20 team. TTFF special adviser Jack Warner is finalizing arrangements to get the player here in the quickest possible time.
Shakes’ mother is Trinidadian and his eligibility was first brought to the attention of the TTFF by Coventry City striker Stern John who had been in contact with Shakes’ family recently. He began his playing career with the Charlton Athletic Academy before moving to Bolton in the summer of 2001. Shakes, born in Brixton, has since broken into the Premiership first team, making his debut in January 2004, coming off the bench to score in an FA Cup third round replay against Tranmere Rovers. He is also currently the youngest player on the Bolton team that includes Senegal striker El-Hadji Diouf, England striker Les Ferdinand, Nigerian midfielder Jay Jay Okocha and Jamaican midfielder Ricardo Gardner. Aside from the first team, he is a regular starter with the Bolton Reserves.
Shakes has also been described as a utility player, capable of playing in midfield and defense.
A senior T&T team official said that constant networking in the United Kingdom and Unites States has resulted in the discovery of players such as Shakes, Andre Boucaud, Jason Norville and Bobby Zamora.
"We have set up an extensive network in the United Kingdom and the US to identify and monitor any player who may be eligible to play for T&T. Part of our network includes people like Ronnie Mauge, Graham Taylor and senior players like Stern John who brought Ricky Shakes to our attention. In the US people like Alvin Corneal have given us important advice on players.” he told TTFF Media.
“You will recall that the Coach made it very clear from the beginning that he was opening up the team to anybody with a Trinidad and Tobago passport .We have since developed a comprehensive data-base and we have investigated many players in accordance with the Coach's policy.”
He explained that because of T&T laws though, some players like Wigan Athletic striker Nathan Ellington and Hibernian midfielder Craig Rocastle are ineligible.
“Some like Andre Boucaud are eligible while others are not. While FIFA accepts someone using their grandparents to obtain the citizenship of a country, the laws in each country ultimately determines who can become a citizen. Trinidad and Tobago law only recognizes parents, not grandparents. In some countries the laws are different and citizenship is easily available for persons who can contribute to national progress in whatever field. We are hoping the application for citizenship from Jose Lusis Seabra who has been living here for just under five years will be seen in this light, as assisting in a national effort.
We are a small country with just over a million people and we have to compete against countries that have hundreds of millions to choose from. We have to use every advantage we can at times,” the official added.
National senior team coach Bertille St Clair arrived back in the country with the team on Monday night following Sunday’s 4-0 win over the British Virgin Islands and will train at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Centre of Excellence on Wednesday morning. The team will face the BVI in Sunday’s return leg Digicel Cup fixture at the Marvin Lee from 4:30pm.