transfer fee from Walsall to Coventry City.

The two clubs failed to agree on what Coventry should pay Walsall for their top scorer. Walsall reportedly wanted in the region of 750,000 while Coventry offered about 600,000 for the 28-year-old striker whom became affectionately known to the Walsall fans as `Killer'.

Lightbourne's aim now is to make a name for himself at Coventry and prove himself worthy of whatever fee is paid for him.

He has his jersey number -- 15 -- and tomorrow will leave on a club tour to Scotland where the club will play three or four matches in the buildup to the new season. An official team photo is scheduled for the same day they return next week.

Lightbourne, who was watched by Coventry manager Gordon Strachan earlier this year when he had an offer of 400,000 turned down, is expected to be a part of the first team squad.

Lightbourne has signed a four-year contract and it is up to him now to secure a starting position.

"They didn't sign a 28-year-old to be a part of the reserves,'' stressed Lightbourne's agent Mark Georgevic yesterday.

"He'll get opportunities, no doubt.'' Lightbourne's chances will be helped by the departure of Zimbabwean international Peter Ndlovu who has joined Bristol City. Also battling for a spot in another new signing, Simon Howarth from Cardiff City.

"It is there for him to take that opportunity,'' said Georgevic of Lightbourne's situation.

"I don't believe they will be buying anymore strikers and the world is his oyster, as they say.'' Georgevic thinks the season will be even more crucial for another Bermudian, Shawn Goater, whom he also represents.

Goater is in the last year of his contract with Bristol City and come next May he could find himself in a similar position to Lightbourne.

"Shawn wants to play at a higher level and Bristol City are big enough and good enough to have got there last season but they didn't,'' said Georgevic.

City, who failed in the promotion play-offs, are all the more determined to get into the First Division this time.

They have signed five new players, including Chesterfield captain Shaun Dyche, an outstanding centre-half, and striker Colin Cramb who scored 21 goals for Doncaster in the Third Division last season.

Cramb is likely to be Goater's partner up front now that Australian Paul Agostino has moved on to Germany. Also leaving is Kevin Nugent who has joined Cardiff City.

Despite Goater's 25 goals in his first season with the club, City's indifferent form last season means that they must spend another season in the Second Division.

Failure to win promotion this time will make it difficult for them to hang on to Goater who is anxious to follow Lightbourne into the top division.

Not since Clyde Best, who is now the Bermuda national coach, left West Ham United in 1975 has a Bermudian played in the top division in England. In those days it was the old First Division.

Goater will come up against two top teams in the next few days when City play Liverpool in a friendly tomorrow and Everton on Saturday.

"I think now that Kyle has moved it will open people's eyes to Shawn a bit more,'' said Georgevic.

KYLE LIGHTBOURNE -- Five years ago, the Bermudian striker was celebrating a goal for PHC while playing soccer on the Island. Now he's celebrating a move to the English Premier Division.