"Next, no introduction needed. He joined us in 1998. A reliable goalscorer through every season. A giant star in every sense. He gave us so many happy memories. Please welcome back, your captain for the day, SHAUN GOATER."

The words that prompted the day's most thunderous ovation, were offered by John Wardle, acting chairman of Manchester City, during a special post-match presentation, but they could have come from any of the 34,957 present at Maine Road yesterday, including the Southampton supporters who rose graciously to pay homage to a man about whom no one has a bad word.

Young and old, male and female, City fans are united in their approval of Goater, some even driven to tears by the reality that his stay on Moss Side is coming to an end.

Bernadette Hesketh (Manchester): "Shaun Goater is a marvellous man. He's very loyal to the club. He's a lovely man, bless him. I don't want to see him go, it pains me to say. He's been a real asset to the club. He's always been there for us and he always gets us a goal when we need it most."

Dave Roberts (Manchester): "Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. It's heartbreaking to see him go. I've been supporting the club since I was a little baby. When he first come, Shaun Goater, I thought he's not to be. But he's a legend, the man is a legend in himself and I hope to God, wherever he goes, I wish him all the best. I met him, I met him (choked up) and he is a gentleman. The man is . a true professional (close to tears), and no matter where he goes, I'll always love him."

Leonard Johnstone (Manchester): "Great, great buy. Brilliant buy, Shaun Goater. One of the best City players of all time, for the money what they paid, absolutely brilliant. I'm very sorry to see him go."

Jeff Lord (Manchester): "It's a sad day that he's retiring (sic). He's been a fantastic servant to us over the five or six years. He's seen it all, the bad times and the good times. I'm proud to have had him play for us."

Barry Turner (Isle of Man): "When he first came to Maine Road, he didn't seem to hit it off, he was having a rough time and took a lot of barracking. But he stood up to it and he's come through it and he's one of our best strikers of all time, he really is. Shaun is fantastic, really good. We'll miss him. We've paid ?13 million out, but they won't replace Shaun because they haven't got what he's got . determination. I hope he gets another good club, I hope it's in the Premiership, and I hope he goes to Eastlands (site of the City of Manchester Stadium) and he sticks one in, just for Kevin Keegan. I've been watching City since the (Second World) War and Shaun, he's right up there with Colin Bell, the greats."

Enough said.

lOur tribute to The Goat continues on Page 29.