Bristol City Highlights Footballer Shaun Goater
Bristol City Football Club featured Bermudian football legend Shaun Goater as part of their Black History Month series.
The UK celebrates Black History Month in October, and the Bristol City Football Club website said, “To celebrate Black History Month we’ll be looking each day at the career of past and present Bristol City players, with Bermudian striker Shaun Goater up next.
- Position: Striker
- All-time appearances: 658
- City appearances: 81
- Career goals: 260
- All clubs: Manchester United, Rotherham United, Notts County, Bristol City, Manchester City, Reading, Coventry City, Southend United, Bermuda Hogges, North Village Rams.
“Goater grew up in the Bermudian capital of Hamilton, and left home at the age of 17 to head to the United States on a soccer scholarship at Columbia High School in New Jersey, before being spotted by Manchester United scouts who invited him for a trial.
“While securing a professional contract at the Red Devils, his first-team opportunity came at Rotherham United, where over seven seasons Goater scored 86 goals and picked up an Auto Windscreens Shield winners’ medal in 1996, playing the full 90 minutes in the final at Wembley.
“Following his good form with the Millers, Goater moved to BS3 for a fee of £175,000 in the summer of 1996.
“Goater’s relationship with the City fanbase got off to a good start, scoring on his debut against Gillingham.
“Scoring 24 goals in all competitions in the 1996-97 season, Goater finished the campaign as City’s top scorer and was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the division, while the highlight of the season came in a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.
“Paul Agostino had given City the lead in the first half, before Goater scored what turned out to be the winner as he drove through the Rovers half, beating the offside trap and coolly slotting past the goalkeeper.
“Goater’s good form continued in the following season continuing to be clinical in front of goal as City battled for promotion at the top end of the division, even scoring a brace against Bristol Rovers in a 2-1 win at the Memorial Stadium in November 1997 and his final home outing for City came in a 2-0 win over Rovers in March 1998.
“With 17 goals in all competitions, Goater secured a £400,000 move to Manchester City in March 1998.
“Goater left the Robins having scored 45 times in 81 appearances and having secured his placed as a fan favourite with the Ashton Gate crowd
“His time with The Citizens was a successful one, scoring 103 times in 212 appearances including a 30-goal season in 2001-02 as Kevin Keegan’s side were promoted to the Premier League as Champions.
“After leaving Manchester City in 2003, Goater’s next-best spell came at Southend United in League One, scoring 11 goals as the Shrimpers secured promotion to the Championship, with his final appearance in English football coming for the Essex side against Bristol City in 2006.
“On the international scene, Goater is Bermuda’s all-time top goalscorer with 32 goals, while being awarded freedom of the island, with June 21st declared as ‘Shaun Goater Day’.
“Goater is currently working as part of Manchester City’s academy coaching staff.”
Enjoy @OfficialSGoater‘s memorable Bristol derby goals! https://t.co/iYVQtuNNOa pic.twitter.com/moWz4Ml7zI
— Bristol City FC ]@BristolCity) October 2, 2022
