club side Rotherham clinched promotion from the Fourth Division.

The prolific striker, who scored 10 goals for the Yorkshire club this season, will be playing Second Division soccer come August when the Premier League makes its debut.

Rotherham drew 1-1 with Chesterfield on Saturday to make sure of being promoted as runners-up behind champions Burnley.

Third-placed Mansfield also earned promotion, with Blackpool, Scunthorpe, Crewe, Barnet and Rochdale left to fight it out in the play-offs for the remaining spot.

Speaking from his Rotherham home yesterday, a delighted Goater said he had enjoyed a weekend of celebration with his team-mates. "For someone who is teetotal, I had a few myself. You don't get promoted every year.'' Goater, who was in Rotherham's starting line-up for their last 11 games this season, said he was glad he had been on form to play a major role in the end-of-season promotion battle.

And the talented Bermudian reckons his club can be competitive in the higher division having bounced right back after being relegated in 1990-91. "The players have a lot more experience,'' said Goater. "I think we could do very well.'' Goater, who made a total of 26 appearances for Rotherham this season, has had to answer the call of both club and country in recent weeks -- helping his club gain promotion and shooting Bermuda to a 1-0 first-leg lead in their World Cup qualifier against Haiti.

"Playing for your club and your country are two very different things,'' said Goater. "When I play for Rotherham it's my livelihood that's at stake. It enables me to pay the mortgage and put food on the table.

"Playing for your country is much more emotional. It's your love of the game that motivates you.'' Goater is planning to head back to Bermuda early next week to join the national squad for training.

Bermuda face Haiti in the away leg of their preliminary-round tie on May 24.

SHAWN GOATER -- The Bermuda international was an intergral part of Rotherham gaining promotion from the English Fourth Division.