The rains subsided and the sun shone brightly upon some 70 of the Island's budding soccer players on the opening day of the Shaun Goater Grassroots Soccer Festival at Spice Valley Middle School Field yesterday.

Amid various training obstacles, wishful onlookers and proud parents stood Goater - in full training kit and swamped by eager young girls and boys hanging on his every word.

Goater was joined by some of the coaching staff at Manchester City along with City's under-18 youth academy squad, all of them helping to supervise specific basic drills for some of Bermuda's young football prospects.

City's under-18 team will take on a local under-18 select tomorrow evening at the National Sports Centre and again on Friday night at the same venue.

The Festival, meanwhile, heads east today to Whitney Institute Middle School which renamed the school's gym and field in honour of the City star last Friday. Goater attended Whitney from 1982 to 1987.

Bermuda's other English professional player, Kyle Lightbourne, was also present to lend a hand with Goater's wife, Anita and his own bride, Rosemarie, during yesterday's youth camp.

“The day has turned out brilliant with the weather and all,” said Goater.

“What we have here is Manchester City's youth academy helping as supervisors. So they are also giving the kids valuable advice on how to strike the ball and things of that nature, which is really good.”

Goater, who was forced to spend much of last season on the bench after City boss Kevin Keegan bought former England star Robbie Fowler, will be joined by his strike partner, Frenchman Nicholas Anelka, later this week.

“I'm really pleased and this is a wonderful opportunity for local kids to showcase their talents,” added Goater.

“Normally kids think that those dreams can't come true because these clubs are in England, but I've brought them here. So now it's up to them to show off their skills to the Manchester City staff - and they have come to seek future talent.

“If they see somebody that catches their eye, then I can tell you that they will be going back with them for trials because they are looking for talent all of the time.”