Manchester City fans are pleading with their Bermudian idol Shaun Goater not to leave the club.

And there's even been talk of an organised protest at Maine Road following the striker's announcement this week that he would be moving following a season in which he has been continually overlooked by manager Kevin Keegan.

But Goater told TheRoyal Gazette yesterday that while he was overwhelmed by the support from City's faithful, there was no turning back.

"My mind's set," he said, two days after breaking the news to this newspaper.

"The decision has been made because I want to be playing.

"The fans have been great. That's why it's been such a difficult decision.

"That's all I'm getting from the fans. It's hard to look someone in the face and tell them I want to leave.

"Even though I've not been playing regularly, I still see the fans. They still tell me: `You're my number one', `I love you'.

"While I wasn't playing, they were still telling me `don't go, please stay.' I was genuinely saying to them `I'm staying. I am not going anywhere. Because that's the way I honestly felt.

"But it's gone on too far. My last game was back in January. I've been fully fit and available since then. The decision has been made because I want to be playing football. I know I've got a few more seasons left in me."

Goater admitted, however, that any move from his adopted Manchester home would be a huge wrench, not only for himself but his wife and children.

"I'll have to consider all of the options," he said. "I'll sit down with my family and say `these clubs have come in and this is the situation, what should we do'?

"But this is not an easy, straightforward decision because we've got to uproot.

"We're in a good area for the school and the kids. Along with that, my wife is happy and very settled with life in Manchester . . . she has friends and neighbours. So, it's hard to let that go."

With a year still left on his contract at City, Goater doesn't expect to hear any news on a possible transfer until at least the end of this season next month.

"The procedure is that other teams that want me still have to go through the club because I still have another year on my contract.

"Anybody who is interested will call the club and say `we're interested in Shaun, how much are you wanting for him', and the gaffer will eventually call me in.

"But nothing can happen until the end of the season anyway, so whether someone calls today or tomorrow, it's still no good to me. He (Keegan) wants to keep me focused between now and the end of the season.

"He's still looking at what he thinks is the best team for City. I know I wasn't sub last game but I could well be (in the squad) this weekend.

"I don't think because I've come out and said this he won't choose me in the remaining games."

Asked whether anything could change his mind, Goater replied: "Yes, games! But with the exception of that, nothing. "That's the reason I've come to this decision, I want to play football."