LETTER WAS WRITTEN LAST WEEK BEFORE GOATER WAS LEFT OUT OF SQUAD FOR WOLVES GAME.

Dear Sir,

Please allow me to say a few words about the so called striker Shaun Goater.

In the Royal Gazette dated November 30th you had a major story about Goater stating he was sick, but he should not have made that statement, instead what he should have said was that he was very naive not to go and represent his country.

I say that to say knowing just how he has been treated at Reading Football Club, he has been a benchman all season and should know by now that he is just a spot on the bench.

I for one do not understand how he is thinking, knowing the way that he is been handled by two different bosses. Both are doing the same thing or should I say they both are on the same wave length and therefore he should have come home and represent his country.

To Mr. Goater how long is it going to take before you tell yourself the way you have been handled is a clear sign that they don't intend to use you or in fact they don't want you no matter at what cost. This is why I am not going to accept the line about Goater being absolutely "sick" knowing full well what is going on concerning his football situation.

Mr. Goater had you been here and joined the Bermuda national squad and played in all of the games in St. Vincent the players and the country would have been graced by your presence. Just look at all of the black players who left their English clubs to go home or elsewhere to represent their country.

Just a few names should enlighten you, players like Clyde Best, dwight Yorke, Thierry Henry and many other top names, that's what I call having the country's interest at heart.

Mr. Goater if one does not show interest, regardless of how good they are, they are no good to whatever country they are from.

Maybe next time Mr. Kevin Dillon (assitant coach at Reading) or the manager calls again and says please stay and informs you that you will be involved in a certain game despite having been called by your country, I hope you will say it's not your choice and that your country needs you.

I am not saying Bermuda would have won all three games in St. Vincent, but Goater's presence would have been deeply felt.

To Mr. Goater I say this, you should have been here and you know it.

George Bremar

PS. At Reading there is no light at the end of the tunnel for you, you have to admit to yourself that the light is out. I think it is all over which is what they are actually telling you but not in words.

Dear Sir,

It is always complimentary when one's views are endorsed by others but I was especially pleased to read in yesterday's Gazette that former Bermuda international cricketer Allen Richardson agreed with my pontifications in Monday's daily. Although I must confess I am still trying to figure out which of my past commentaries he found ludicrous and ridiculous, perhaps it was when I predicted West Indies would defeat his beloved England in the ICC Champions Trophy Final (smile). Nevertheless I reiterate my point that the BCB should attempt to secure Clarence Parfitt as technical director for our cricket and hire Daryl Cullinan as coach, I will do my level best to persuade my good friend Sports Minister Dale Butler to support this.

On another note I was sad to find out this week that Sports Voicewith host Nick Jones will no longer be aired. I was absolutely shocked to find that Jones did not receive any financial remuneration for the show which was broadcast for 13 years.

That surely says a lot about Nick but unfortunately is also an indictment on ZBM, who appear to turning the nightly evening news sports review into a 30-second sound bite. Thanks very much Nick for your years of dedication, I have no doubt that you deserve at the very least an MBE for your efforts.

Speaking of MBEs I would also like to encourage government to consider Mr. Michael Jean-Jacques for this honour, he too would be a worthy recipient, having contributed to a number of sports on this island from body-building to cricket.

Sincerely

RECMAN

Devonshire