Former Manchester City legend is named as New Mills’ assistant

New Mills are poised to unveil former Manchester City legend Shaun Goater as their new assistant boss.
Shaun Goater in his Manchester City playing days.Shaun Goater in his Manchester City playing days.
Shaun Goater in his Manchester City playing days.

The Bermudian striker scored over 100 goals between 1998 and 2003 for City following a switch from Bristol City for a £400,000 fee, after kicking off his Football League career at Rotherham United.

The 45-year-old, who was awarded an MBE in 2003 for his services to sport and young people in his native Bermuda, was invited to join the touchline team at Church Lane by new Millers’ manager Andy Fearn.

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Goater met the Millers’ players for the first time last Thursday night.

The club has confirmed that the UEFA B licence holder will assist Fearn against Scarborough Athletic during Saturday’s opening game of the new campaign.

He will then be unavailable until early September because of his existing commitments, before returning to the post proper.

Fearn will introduce Goater to supporters on Tuesday at a special ‘meet the manager’ evening.

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A spokesman from the club said: “Shaun needs no introduction to football fans after scoring in excess of two hundred goals in a professional career which spanned seventeen seasons.

“He is best remembered for his time at Manchester City where he overcame a difficult start to become a cult hero at Maine Road.

“Shaun attended training last Thursday in an observatory role and the subsequent player’s meeting in the clubhouse.

“His enthusiam is infectious and he became an instant hit.

“He stayed until later in the evening, chatting with the players and chairman alike.

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“Shaun will be in the dugout for the first Evo-Stik NPL game against Scarborough Athletic next Saturday.

“But due to business commitments, he will then be unavailable until early September by which time the club hopes to confirm his role on a permanent basis.

“This is fabulous news for the club demonstrating that both Andy and Shaun believe New Mills can be successful, both on and off the pitch.”

The arrival of Goater will certainly appease supporters who would have been dismayed by events earlier in the summer.

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Keith Briggs had arrived as the club’s new manager after being handpicked by the club’s board of directors following a studious selection process.

However, Briggs lasted just 23 days in the post after accepting an offer to join the coaching set-up at League One side Sheffield United.

Patrick Kenyon, club treasurer, said at the time: “When a Football League club comes calling, then you can’t not accept it.

“The timing couldn’t be worse for us really.

“However, we knew Keith was ambitious as a manger and that he wanted to go places.”

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Despite the setback, Briggs’ assistant Fearn was given the not to take the top job and he will be aiming to get off to a good start with the visit of Scarborough this weekend, with Goater assisting him.

Fearn will then take his new side to face Northwich Victoria next Wednesday night (7.45pm).