Born in Brixton, Greater London, Shakes began his career at Bolton Wanderers in 2004,[5] and made his debut in an FA Cup third-round replay against Tranmere Rovers in January 2004, scoring a last-minute equaliser to take the match into extra time.

[6] He failed to make a league appearance for Bolton,[5] and after spells on loan with Bristol Rovers and Bury, joined Swindon Town in July 2005.

[24] Originally, Shakes failed to meet FIFA's age regulations for changing international allegiance, however, Guyana won an appeal in 2010 which allowed him to do so.

[25] Shakes' third international appearance came in the 2–1 victory over Trinidad & Tobago on 11 November 2011 which sealed Guyana's qualification to the third round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

[26] In that game, Shakes scored the first goal and created the second for Burnley's Leon Cort, before Kenwyne Jones' consolation for Trinidad & Tobago.