Retired English professional Shaun Goater could become Bermuda?s newest youth soccer development director, can reveal.

It was learned yesterday that the former Manchester City striker has officially been approached by Bermuda Football Association (BFA) over the possibility of taking over the post vacated two years ago by Kenny Thompson in the new year.

When contacted yesterday, Goater confirmed that he had been in talks with the BFA over the post, and, according to sources, he has already begun assembling his team of youth coaches that will assist him should he get the nod.

?I have been in discussions with them pretty much since the time I?ve returned home. But some things have taken precedence in terms of going back and forth off the Island,? he said.

Goater said it had always been a desire of his to play some sort of role with local football?s governing body.

?I?ve always felt the need to get involved and play some sort of role with the BFA to help pass on the information that I have learned.

?So I have been talking with the BFA and I?ve already expressed to them that I would like to get involved.?

BFA president Larry Mussenden believes Goater has much to offer local football.

?We all recognise that Shaun (Goater) spent many years playing professionally in England and so he clearly has a contribution to make to football in Bermuda. And maybe he is the person who would be able to help advance our various programmes in Bermuda,? he said.

?This post (youth director) is something that we want to establish and fund. And so we will have to await funding for it before we can actually place someone in the position.

?But I have had some chats with Shaun about what he wants to do in conjunction with the Bermuda Football Association.?

Last October saw the BFA announce a $36 million, six-year plan to revamp local football that had been submitted to Government who then pledged to ?increase? funding in local football.

Government also promised to ?devote, time, energy and financial support to sports and to invest in the Island?s largest competitive and most popular game? ? football ? during last month?s Throne Speech.

And the association remain optimistic that Government ? who last week agreed to pump $150,000 into the Premier?s Dudley Eve Cup competition over the next ten-years ? will adhere to its mandate and support the ambitious multi-million dollar plan that calls for the recruitment of a full-time technical director, youth development director, various national staff coaches and a fund raising/development officer in the next Budget.

?As far as the technical side is concerned we feel we need to have a technical director, national youth coaches at each level and also a youth director, who together with co-ordinators, would be able to invest in our young people,? Mussenden added.

Goater, meanwhile, has been given clearance to enter a local professional team in the United Soccer League (USL) next year.

Organisers confirmed last weekend that Bermuda were among five new sides being admitted to the league that will boast 23 teams in two divisions when it kicks off in the summer of 2007 with the Island making its debut in the 10-strong Second Division.

And Goater?s team, yet to be officially named, has now received the BFA?s full backing.

?We are extremely appreciative of their (BFA) support and blessings that they have been able to do something like this,? Goater added.

?We are now looking for their assistance in getting CONCACAF?s official sanctioning. And once this is achieved it will be totally clear sailing.

?But we at this moment have to make plans so that it will happen because time is definitely not on our side.?