A Gombey troupe is flying to England early next month to help celebrate the final game of soccer player Shaun Goater?s illustrious career.

Mr. Goater, who is hanging up his boots after a 17-year stint as a professional in the UK, will play his final game for Southend United against former club Bristol City at Roots Hall, Essex, on May 6 ? and the event is fast turning into an Island spectacular.

The Shrimpers, are putting on a ?Blues Bermuda Bonanza? on the final Saturday of the season to mark Mr. Goater?s retirement as well as celebrate what is expected to be a second consecutive promotion for the team.

?We always do something special to mark the end of the season and we thought a Bermuda day would be a great way to thank Shaun for all he has done for us this season,? said Shrimpers marketing executive Nina Drew, whose club are just one win away from securing a place in The Championship, England?s second highest division.

Ms Drew added:?It is going to be a wonderful day for all the fans and we are looking forward to enjoying a party atmosphere.?

The Gombeys trip was financed by sponsorship from four Bermuda companies with ACE, the Aon Group, Bermuda Forwarders and the Shipowners Insurance & Guaranty Co. stumping up the approximate $20,000 costs to send over the dancers for what should prove to be a massive advert for Tourism.

ACE are also sending over Dwayne (Streaker) Adams, former national team colleague of Mr. Goater as well as the coach of the Triple Crown winning North Village this season, as a representative.

National media interest in the game is high due to Mr. Goater?s celebrity profile ? garnered mostly through his goalscoring exploits with Manchester City and the now-famous ?Feed the Goat and he will score? chant ? and the club is hoping to make the most of the day by also running a best and worst Bermuda shorts competition for the sell-out 12,000 crowd.

@EDITRULE:On the Ball with Shaun Goater: Page 20