Goodbye to the Goat!"

 

SHAUN Goater is heading home for Bermuda but his love affair with City is far from over.

 

The Blues legend retired from English football last weekend when he helped Southend land the League One crown and a place in the Championship.

 

Fittingly he said goodbye against another of his former clubs, Bristol City, but it was the tribute from Manchester fans that finally brought a tear to his eye.

 

"There were around 400 Blues at the game and they were absolutely awesome, I can't thank them enough," said the striker who ironically was a boo boy target when he first arrived in Manchester.

 

"When I was doing the lap of thanks around the ground and reached those City fans, I instantaneously felt the passion that I used to feel at Maine Road," he added.

 

"It seemed as though they all wanted to hug me and kiss me and they were even still lining the route on Sunday when we did our parade. What a send-off it was, I couldn't have dreamt it would be like that. It really was unbelievable.

 

"It was really touching and something I will never forget. In the year I have been at Southend I believe that I have built up a good rapport with their fans too and it was a great day."

 

Goater who plundered over 100 goals for City, will now return to Bermuda and try to put something back into the game. "I don't regret my decision to retire, the time is right and I could not have gone out on a much better note," observed the 36-year-old.

 

"I have enjoyed my career with a team that I suppose epitomises me as a player, namely with a good work ethic and a desire to better itself.

 

"In the end I completed the full circle proving a few people wrong at City. It would have been easy to quit during the early days but I can even thank the fans that didn't take to me because they helped make me mentally stronger.

 

"I am off to Bermuda and I am talking to the country's football association in a bid to get involved with youth football over there.

 

"One of my aims would be to groom youngsters to come over and play in the Premiership. I will always be involved in football and I aim not to be a stranger to City fans."

 

Goater also had a tip for Stuart Pearce, to check out Southend's Freddy Eastwood, the man who topped the Shrimpers' goal charts.

 

"He is a class act, make no mistake about that," reckoned Goater. "I expect Premiership sides will be watching him closely."

 

 

Feed the goat and he will score........... Thank you mr goater you will be forever a city legend ....

bless him. He was a good goalscorer, except for the time he contributed to Burnley's 0-6 capitulation at home to Man City.

Goater was one hell of a legend!i remember watching him play against pompey and he scored twice!

His Derbt goals in the last derby ever played will forever have a special place in my heart.... and many others