Shaun Goater stands by his decision to ask the Bermuda Football Association not to consider him for Bermuda's second round World Cup matches this month against Antigua.

Bermuda are pinning their World Cup qualifying hopes on Goater and the other professionals, Kyle Lightbourne, David Bascome and Meshach Wade.

And while, under normal circumstances Goater would have been excited about being involved, he faced a difficult choice knowing that his absence could seriously affect Manchester City's promotion chances.

Uppermost on Goater's mind is playing in the Premiership next season with City, a dream that was first born on the other side of Manchester 12 years ago when he first went to England on trials with Manchester United. At age 30, Goaters estimates he has about five good years left and would dearly love to spend them in the top division.

"I'm being pressured by both sides,'' Goater told The Royal Gazette last night. "I've been out here since 1988, at United when they were in the then First Division, and it was always my ambition to get there again and to make a name for myself.'' Added Goater: "This is the closest I've ever come to achieving that goal. I feel if I'm not involved in the remaining games then 10 years from know I'll be thinking `if I had played perhaps I might have got my dream of playing in the Premiership'.

"I don't want to have any regrets, really, and this is one of those things that hasn't come at the right time. I've had to make the decision to take care of myself and my family.

"A lot of people might be upset but they need to know my situation and perhaps they will be more understanding. My livelihood is at stake and that's the pressure I'm getting from this side. Managers have long memories and I'm sure they don't forget certain things.'' Goater notched his 27th goal of the season last weekend and, with seven games remaining, including an important home clash tonight against Bolton that could lift City back into second place in the table, the striker is on target for 30 goals in his first season in the First Division.

Goater is still confident Bermuda can succeed without him. If dates permit, he is more than ready to make himself available for further matches should Bermuda advance.

"I'm sure we can go on to do well in the World Cup,'' he said.

Goater is in his second full season at City, following his transfer from Bristol City in 1998, but it has only been this season that he has finally won over most of the City fans. He knows leaving the club at a critical stage of the season to play for his country might not sit well with City diehards.

"At this moment they love me, and it's better to play with 30,000 supporting you than 30,000 not,'' said the club's top scorer.

"Bermuda's population is about 60,000 and you're talking about half of that in one place at one time letting you know their views. If the decision came down to me and I made the decision to go home, they would say `his heart's not in the club'.'' After the last round, Lightbourne was unable to immediately reclaim his place in the Stoke team after returning from the first match in the BVI. Goater feels that could also happen to him, even as top scorer. "One player, Terry Cooke, transformed our season last year when he came to us and this year he's only played about two games,'' Goater stated.

"That's just an example. He couldn't get back in, not through ability hecause he showed he was one of the better players last year. That's how it is, out of sight, out of mind.'' Certainly Goater has made tremendous sacrifices to get into the Premiership, including spending six years at lowly Rotherham where initially his wages didn't even match what he could have made back home in Bermuda.

His fortunes changed with a move to Bristol City and now he is with one of the best supported clubs in England.

"I can't say too many bad things about Rotherham, but sometimes when you are in a situation you don't realise how bad it is until you actually come out of it,'' said Goater.

"All the sacrifices I put in in places like Rotherham, I started to reap the rewards at the following clubs. I just feel I've come such a long way and I'm close to realising my life-long dream.'' Shaun Goater: Decided to help City's quest to reach the Premier League rather than Bermuda's bid for World Cup glory this month.