Old Boys News: Can The Goat Save The Robins?

Shaun Goater

It has just been announced that CCFPA member and former Sky Blue striker Shaun Goater has returned to English football and been appointed manager at Evo-Stik Northern League Premier Division club, Ilkeston Town. ‘The Robins’ from Derbyshire announced that their gaffer Paul Holland would be stepping down and ‘the Goat’  would be replacing him. Like the Sky Blues, Ilkeston are currently in their own leagues’ relegation zone and some way adrift of safety, so Shaun faces a tough challenge.

Bob Ties Up Shaun!

As the Sky Blues take on Gillingham later this afternoon in a must-win League One fixture, Ilkeston take on Sutton Coldfield Town at the New Manor Ground also desperately requiring a win. Goater is a former international for Bermuda (where  Town also have other connections). Awarded an MBE for his services to football in his home country in 2003 ‘the Goat’ scored an incredible 32 times for Bermuda in 36 internationals between 1987-2004. Shaun has been only a rare visitor to the Ricoh since receiving his official tie from CCFPA’s Bob Eales almost exactly two years ago to confirm his earlier recruitment in Bermuda.

In his day Shaun was a dashing, prolific and well travelled forward (starting as a teenager at Old Trafford in 1988) then appearing from 1989 for Rotherham United, Notts County and Bristol City before hitting the headlines with the other sky blues, Manchester City  where (in two sessions between 1998 and 2003) he scored 103 times in his 212 games!

Shaun in the Sky Blue

Shaun had a fairly brief loan spell with the Sky Blues under (now CCFPA colleague) Micky Adams at the back end of the 2004-05 season and made six appearances including two as sub before finishing his British career at Southend United (where he mentored a future Sky Blue Freddy Eastwood).

On leaving Southend he returned home playing for Bermuda Hogges (where he was also a director) and player-managing North Village Rams, only hanging up his boots in 2010 aged 40 (the year CCFPA signed him up).  In total, he scored more than 200 goals in English football and made over 500 appearances. In Bermuda, Shaun has been heavily involved in promoting football for young people and developed important business interests in telecommunications and transport. Previously Shaun has also helped the likes of St Johnstone and Doncaster Rovers to sharpen the scoring prowess of their strike force.

CCFPA wishes Shaun well in his new post!