The 35-year-old, who racked up over 500 career games for the likes of Rotherham United, Bristol City and Manchester City before linking up with the Biscuitmen, had the twelve months remaining on his contract cancelled by mutual consent with the Royals liable to pay City an extra £500,000 for his services if he had made one more appearance.
Goater was released having scored 15 goals from 37 starts in all competitions for Reading, who loaned him out for a goalless six-match spell at Coventry City at the end of 2004/5. The Sky Blues, who move into the all-new Ricoh Arena a fortnight into the new campaign, and Gillingham are expected to be the two main rivals to the Shrimpers for the experienced front man’s wiles.
Reading boss Steve Coppell was loathed to allow Goater one more game in Berkshire that would have triggered the add-on in his contract, and has said that the decision was made to enable Shaun to pursue other options. These presumably would not have been possible avenues had the Royals demanded a transfer fee. Director of Football Nick Hammond commented to the official website, www.readingfc.co.uk, “We wish Shaun and his family the best of luck for the future.”
Tilson’s tracking of the international talent, who was allowed to leave Manchester United in 1989 having failed to make the grade at Old Trafford before returning to wreak havoc with their near-neighbours and achieve cult status, never stopped. At the time of his original rebuff, the 38-year-old sighed, “He has a very good job and he would have done a good job for us I’m sure, but he doesn’t want to drop down to League One,” before adding that the door was not closed.
With the target man just one shy of 250 career goals in all competitions, his retirement could easily be delayed for twelve months, although a potential stumbling block would be the Bermudan’s wages. Goater would have to take a significant cut to fall within the Seasiders’ pay structure and, even allowing for increased gates in a higher division, in order to adhere to the Football League’s 60% wage cap.
Player Profile: SHAUN GOATER | |||
Date of birth | 25 February 1970 | Height | 6ft 1in |
Place of birth | Hamilton, Bermuda | Weight | 11st 10lbs |
Nationality | Bermudan | Position | Centre-forward |
Previous Clubs | Manchester United, Rotherham United, Notts County (loan), Bristol City (£175K), Manchester City (£400K), Reading (£500K), Coventry City (loan) | International honours | Bermuda (19 full caps) |
Career History By Club | |||||
Team | Debut | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds |
Coventry City | 02/04/2005 | 4(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Reading | 09/08/2003 | 37(12) | 15 | 1 | 0 |
Manchester City | 28/03/1998 | 189(23) | 103 | 8 | 1 |
Bristol City | 17/08/1996 | 81(11) | 45 | 3 | 0 |
Notts County | 12/11/1993 | 1 | 0 | - | - |
Rotherham United | 25/10/1989 | 209(52) | 86 | - | - |
Manchester United | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Totals | - | 521(100) | 249 | 12 | 1 |
Career History By Competition | |||||
Season | Appearances | As substitute | Goals | Yellows | Reds |
League | 442 | (+83) | 210 | 11 | 1 |
FA Cup | 26 | (+6) | 18 | 0 | 0 |
League Cup | 35 | (+5) | 16 | 1 | 0 |
Other Matches | 17 | (+6) | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Statistics compiled by Robert Craven | |||||
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com