Larry Mussenden, the president of the Bermuda Football Association (BFA), says he has the "greatest respect" for Manchester City icon Shaun Goater, and believes the football legend has a "huge contribution" to make to local football.

Mussenden made those comments in response to recent claims made by Goater, who said he had been snubbed after applying for the vacant post as theassociation's Youth Director.

"I officially applied for the post about a year ago but I've received no feedback and nothing in writing. They (BFA) have certainly had my application for long enough to make a decision. It makes me suspect the BFA don't want me," Goater told The Royal Gazette last week.

Responding to the former City striker's remarks, Mussenden said: "The BFA and I have the greatest respect for Shaun Goater, who as I have said previously, has a huge contribution to make to football in Bermuda. Bermuda and the BFA love Shaun who is a football hero to all of us.

"I am sure that everyone will agree that we would love to have Shaun involved and we welcome him to volunteer his time to football, much like many other volunteers including myself and the executive do (on) a daily basis."

Last year local football's governing body officially advertised for a fund development officer, financial controller and a technical director ¿ but have yet to advertise for a youth director who will "work under the guidance of the technical director to concentrate on the development of the junior national teams and the junior club programmes".

"The BFA has not advertised for a youth director but when we do, we welcome all applications for consideration and the best candidate, with all the required qualifications and experience for the post, will be appointed to the post," Mussenden said.

As for Goater's claims the BFA have yet to respond to his application, Mussenden commented: "I am obliged to refrain from speaking about employment matters which I consider to be private and confidential. I am not able to discuss, specifically by naming any applicant, whether an application has been received by the BFA for the post of youth director. I consider such matters to be private and confidential.

"However, I can state that generally speaking I am very confident that anyone who had, or has, an interest in a post at the BFA will have been informed [normally by me] about the status of any application and selection process."