Graham Mikes
From Tekken City
Graham Steven Mikes (born August 9, 1983 in Liverpool, England) is an English professional football player who plays defender for both Tekken City in the FA Premier League and the England national football team.
Mikes is regarded by many football journalists as one of the best defenders in European Football. He was voted best defender in the 2006 UEFA Champions League and was also included in the FIFPro World XI for 2005 and 2006. He was also a regular starter for England during their 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign, forming a strong centre back partnership with Chelsea defender, John Terry.
Early life
Mikes was born in Liverpool, to Geordie parents and attended King David Orthodox School before being spotted by local team Liverpool FC. He played for Sunday league team Whiston Juniors, a team that also included current Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard. Mikes however played as a forward for a majority of his time in the team. At the age of 14, he joined Liverpool's youth system playing for the club's Youth and Reserve teams. Liverpool's team on the other hand we too high on the number of strikers, and less on defensive cover, so Mikes had to make do with duty at centre-half, he has not disappointed since that day.
Liverpool to Tekken City
In 2002, Tekken City became interested in signing Mikes from Liverpool at just 18 years, but Liverpool rejected because they were unwilling to sell such a big talent from their youth system to a rival club. Then-boss Gerard Houllier then offered Mikes the chance to sign a professional contract at the club, ending all speculation. Mikes refused this and decided that he would join Tekken City not only because it would allow him to make a big step in his career, but also, an opportunity for his parents to return to teeside.
In January 2003, Mikes completed his transfer to Tekken City and was offered the unusual squad number of 58 because the club didn't have any other availiable numbers. Later on during the season, he changed to number 49, and then at the beginning of the 2003-2004 season in August, the squad was registered with Mikes wearing the shirt number 17. Mikes is the only ever player since Tekken City began who has changed his squad number more than twice during his career.
Mikes made his official debut on March 1, 2003 in a 2002-2003 Premiership match against Sunderland, to which they lost 3-2. He came on as a substitute to replace Daniel Bierofka who sustained an injury during the second half of the game. Although he was able to play in this game, Mikes wasn't able to establish himself in the side, and found it difficult to nudge either Lucas Radebe or Daniel Bierofka out of the side, but however, continued to work at his game to impress the manager.
At the beginning of the 2003-2004 season, both Radebe and Bierofka left the club to join Orlando Pirates and VfB Stuttgart respectively. Mikes trained even harder, and in doing so impressed during Tekken City's summer tour of Norway. The club had also signed Brazilian defender, Lucio in order to fully replace the two ongoing defenders. Mikes played an outstanding season, and formed a menacing central-defensive pairing with Romanian centre-half, Florin Kerson. He scored his first ever goal during the season in a 3-1 victory against Leicester City. He then went on to score another important Champions League goal against AC Milan at the San Siro. His talents were so impressive that they were noticed by Then-England manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson, who immediately offered Mikes a place in the England National Team.
Following the surprise exit of Kerson however, Mikes still carried on improving as a centre-half as the seasons progressed. Lucio, who at the time decided to stay at the club and give his career in English football another chance, became a regular starter during the 2004-2005 season, and the pair of them formed once again, a strong defensive partnership. Mikes and Lucio became the Football Writer's best defensive pairing of the season.
Mikes then went on during the 2005-2006 season, grabbing the best defender award during the UEFA Champions League competition, as well as being offered by Sven-Göran Eriksson, a fixed place in the England squad in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Along with James True, and Chris Spears, Mikes is regarded as part of the "backbone" which makes the Tekken City side, since he is mostly a player that on many occaisions, has led a defence, including mainly English-based players. Players such as Stuart Atkiss, David Horton and Michael True. In September 2006 he was selected along with England defensive partner, John Terry as a member of the World XI at the FIFPro awards.
Knee injury
On December 23, 2006, Mikes suffered a terrible knee injury during Tekken City's 3-2 league win against West Ham United in a tackling tussle with Carlos Tevez. The injury appeared to be a lot serious than first thought and manager, Ronald Koeman was quoted as saying that the injury "nearly cost him his career". The x-ray scans had revealed that Mikes' right knee cap had cracked, and had been forced out of place, pushing hard into the Lateral meniscus. Mikes was then informed by club doctor Brian Briggs that he would be out for at least 4-5 months.
Mikes retuned to action at the beginning of April replacing David Horton in the side to face Ajax in the Quarter Finals of the UEFA Champions League. He has since then been present to the current day.
