Shaun Goater woke up yesterday morning a Premier League player -- and he can still hardly believe it.

The 30-year-old Bermudian striker helped his club Manchester City clinch promotion to England's top flight on Sunday, scoring a vital equaliser in City's 4-1 win at Blackburn Rovers.

After a night of joyous celebrations in Manchester, Goater told The Royal Gazette he could not wait to rub shoulders with the stars of world soccer who ply their trade with England's elite.

And he revealed that the fans of Bermuda may get a chance to see him play again before his Premier League debut, as he had heard from his manager Joe Royle that the club were considering a pre-season tour of the Island.

"I can't explain the feeling, it hasn't sunk in yet,'' said Goater. "I've made a lot of sacrifices and it's all paid off now I'm a Premiership player.

"When I was a youngster in Bermuda, I used to admire the big-name teams, like Manchester United and Liverpool and now I'm looking forward to playing against them and all their world-class players. It will be great.'' Next season's Manchester derby in particular will be a special occasion for Goater, not just because United are City's cross-town rivals and Premier League champions, but because Goater started out his 12-year career in English football at Old Trafford back in 1988.

He spent two years learning the trade in United's reserve and `A' teams, but never made a first-team appearance before moving on to Rotherham.

And he said his countryman and friend Kyle Lightbourne, who played for Coventry at Old Trafford during his brief spell in the Premier League, had given him an idea of what to expect.

"Kyle told me what it was like to play there in front of 60,000,'' said Goater. "For me, Manchester United are currently the best club side in the world. That is the standard we will have to meet to be the best.'' But did he feel he would be able to plunder goals against Premier League defences as he has done so successfully over the past 10 years in the lower divisions? "I hope so,'' said Goater. "I suppose I'll find out as soon as we start playing.

"It's been well documented that I have always wanted to have a taste of the Premier League, so we will see what Shaun Goater can do in the top division.

"It shows that with hard work, dedication and belief in yourself, you can finally achieve your goals.'' Quizzed on City's rumoured summer visit to Bermuda, Goater said he had heard mention of it, but did not know if anything had yet been confirmed.

Goater said: "The gaffer (Royle) heard about it and he said to me, `what's all this about a Bermuda trip, then?', but I told him I didn't know any more.

"A lot of kids were probably disappointed at not seeing me play in the World Cup. I would be delighted to be able to play for Manchester City in Bermuda and give the kids a chance to see me and my team and players they would be able to recognise.'' City started Sunday's match at Blackburn needing one point to secure the runners-up spot behind Charlton in Division One and with it, automatic promotion.

But after a poor first-half performance, City found themselves 1-0 down and under severe pressure as Blackburn hit the woodwork an amazing four times.

"I remember the first half was like a nightmare,'' said Goater. "I think our nerves were showing a bit. They kept hitting the crossbar and the upright and Nicky (Weaver) made a couple of good saves.

"When their guy hit the angle of the upright and crossbar, they had three players in the box but the ball bounced straight into Nicky's hands. At that moment I thought it was going to be our day.'' With rivals Ipswich leading against Walsall, City were in danger of losing their second place and being forced to battle it out in the play-offs.

Goater said the City players were not made aware of the scoreline from Ipswich by their manager, but the Blackburn fans left them in little doubt of how things were going.

"They were singing `You're staying down with us!' so we thought Ipswich must be winning,'' said Goater.

Despite later describing City's first-half performance as "like pigs in labour'', Royle's half-time team talk had taken the form of an inspirational speech, rather than a tongue-lashing, said Goater.

"He said, `you have got to do better because they are not going to give you this result','' said the 29-goal striker. "And he told us not to expect Ipswich to give us the result. He said `you have 45 minutes and if you all improve your game by 10 percent, you can be legends and heroes'.'' After more close shaves in the City goalmouth, Goater changed the complexion of the game with a 59th-minute equaliser, side-footing home Kevin Horlock's cross.

"I was up front just hoping I could get one good chance and finally it came.

What the goal did was settle us down. We had got a goal, so now we could start to play.'' An own goal by Christian Dailly put City ahead, before Mark Kennedy and Paul Dickov rounded off the scoring and sparked scenes of jubilation as City's travelling army of 15,000 fans invaded the field.

Goater felt he had won over the Maine Road fans who had been slow to warm to him after his arrival at the club in 1998, but were now singing "Feed the Goat and he will score'' in their leading marksman's honour.

"The fans have been great, but the contrast between now and last season is amazing,'' said Goater. "Now they absolutely adore me. It's great to hear them chant your name.'' Goater said there had been amazing scenes in Manchester on Sunday night as the City faithful celebrated the end of their four-year exile from the top flight.

"It was one big party. We virtually took over the town,'' he said.

"I've had some good days in the last World Cup campaign and getting my first contract with United, but this was definitely the best day of my career on the field.''