It has been more than a decade since Shaun Goater was the “Maine man” at Manchester City, but the much-loved striker still holds a special place in the hearts of the club’s supporters.

Goater was recently included in a 12-man shortlist of City legends drawn up by the Manchester Evening News, who asked its readers to vote for their all-time favourite player.

The Blue Army responded by voting in their thousands, according to the newspaper, with Goater attracting a respectable four per cent of the ballot, finishing joint sixth with mercurial midfielder Giorgi Kinkladze.

With Manuel Pellegrini’s side clinching the Barclays Premier League title last season, it would have been easy for City’s fans to focus on the stars of today rather than heroes of yesteryear.

Refreshingly, however, Colin Bell stormed the poll, taking 45 per cent among Blues supporters. Bell inspired City to the Second Division title before winning the league, FA Cup, two League Cups and the 1970 Cup Winners’ Cup

In second place was modern-day maestro, David Silva, taking 16 per cent of the votes, while Vincent Kompany, the club captain, came in third with 13 per cent.

Goater enjoyed prolific spells at Rotherham United and Bristol City before his career-defining move to Maine Road, Manchester City’s previous stadium.

He finished as the club’s top scorer for four consecutive seasons becoming a cult hero with the supporters who created a song in his honour, “Feed The Goat And He Will Score”.