Young and old, North Village fans and not, they came out in numbers yesterday to pay tribute to Shaun Goater who was honoured yesterday for his achievements in English football.

Proclaimed by Premier Jennifer Smith as Leonardo Shaun Goater Day, the Guest of Honour received a host of tributes, well wishes and autograph and picture-taking requests as the red carpet was laid out for him in the City of Hamilton where he was greeted by Mayor William Frith.

The motorcade started from Goater's mother's house in North Shore, Pembroke and took the Manchester City striker, his wife Anita, mother Lynette and other family members to the Cabinet Office to meet the Premier before continuing to City Hall.

Earlier on the route, the motorcade made a detour to Goater's former school Victor Scott where dozens of excited children circled the cars eager to get close to the `North Village Bye' who hasn't forgotten his roots.

"Today we honour a person who is humble, a person who has seen success through hard work, dedication and commitment,'' said Sports Minister Dennis Lister on the steps of City Hall.

"It is often said the will to succeed is important but what's even more important is the will to be prepared. I believe that Shaun Goater is an example of that.

"Whenever I have spoken to Shaun over the years he has always stressed the need for himself to keep working hard to stay at the top of his game. And now that he is in the big league, the Premier Division, that attitude has not changed.'' Sports director Brenton Roberts summed up Goater's persona perfectly in his introduction when he said: "There are four steps to accomplishment: to plan purposely, to prepare prayerfully, to proceed positively and to pursue persistently.'' It may have been Goater's skill that impressed Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson enough to offer him a two-week trial. But it is the player's single-mindedness of purpose and dogged determination that brings him to the Premier League 12 years later, ironically with United's cross-town rivals, Manchester City.

It was a goal that Goater set himself to achieve in his mid-20s while languishing in the lower divisions of the English League. Two straight promotions with City, with Goater scoring 50 goals in the process, secured Goater's climb to the top division in England and now all of Bermuda awaits his Premiership debut in August.

"It is with great pride that I stand here today and say to you, Shaun, that you are an excellent role model for our young people because you have recognised that your success has come through hard work, dedication and commitment. And you have not let success change the character of who you are, your humbleness,'' said the minister.

"We have all heard the saying `don't forget the folks who hold the ladder as you climb to success'. Shaun, we know that you have not forgotten. We see it each summer when David (Bascome) and yourself come home and host the football clinics that you do, a means of sharing and passing on the knowledge to our future football stars.

"Bermuda, that's why today is special, because we honour the total person, the Shaun Goater on the field and the Shaun Goater off the field, a sportsman, a role model, an allround nice guy and soon-to-be father and family man.'' Said Premier Smith: "Whereas the story of his climb to the top, from the official invitation by Sir Alex Ferguson on January 13, 1988 for two weeks of trials with Manchester United Football Club, to the actual trial period from March 14-28 in that same year demonstrates perseverance and dedication to excellence that is an example for all to follow.

"Whereas Bermuda's young people should be informed that Shaun's success comes after two years of apprenticeship at Manchester United Football Club, followed by a transfer to Rotherham United for six years.

"Then, another transfer, this time to Bristol City Football Club for two more years and then two years ago the move to Manchester City Football Club.

"With this proclamation I urge all Bermuda residents to demonstrate their affection, appreciation and gratitude to Leonardo Shaun Goater for the outstanding manner in which he has achieved success, which brings honour and glory to this country.

Continued on page 15 Goater's day Continued from page 13 "Let us continue to support Shaun Goater in his efforts on and off the playing field and commend him as a true ambassador for Bermuda.'' Shadow Sports Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin paid tribute to Goater's upbringing at North Village.

"I can say, without reservation, that there is no soccer fan in Bermuda that is more dedicated and more honoured than the supporters of the North Village soccer club,'' said Gordon-Pamplin.

"My first recollection of Shaun came as a result of my working with a supporter of North Village, a sister of Elliott Jennings, and I heard every Monday morning after their Sunday exploits what Shaun had done on that Sunday prior.

"I had then no doubt, as I have today, that Shaun would attain great standards of excellence. It is no surprise to me to see Shaun was voted Most Valuable Player for his Manchester City club.'' Photos by David Skinner Hero's welcome: Manchester City star Shaun Goater and wife Anita are all smiles as their open-topped car is mobbed by adoring children at Victor Scott School.

Guest of honour: Shaun Goater.