Bermudian soccer star Shaun Goater's name in the blue part of Manchester's folklore is already assured, but he could be set to become a permanent part of the city.

For the Manchester City striker's name is among those being suggested for roads leading up to the club's new stadium.

The Premiership side leave their ancestral Maine Road home at the end of this season for the state of the art surroundings of the ?120-million Eastlands stadium.

The venue was the site for last year's Commonwealth Games, an event at which Goater was a part of in his role as honorary ambassador for the Bermudian team.

Now fan power is to ensure that names from City's past and present are not forgotten when the summer move is made.

Acting City chairman John Wardle told the that community roots were so precious to City supporters that they would get the chance to name the new West Stand at the ground and would also have a big say in the naming of roads if he and his fellow directors got their way.

"The move to the City of Manchester Stadium heralds a massively exciting period for the club and one in which we will continue to keep the supporters fully involved," said Mr. Wardle.

City's affiliated supporters' club branches will shortly receive a letter inviting them to nominate the one name they feel is most fitting for the new stand.

From these suggestions a short list of six names will be chosen by the fans' committee, which will then be thrown open to all remaining City supporters to register their vote. Fans may go for a name which they feel bridges the gap between the club's time at Maine Road and the new beginning at Eastlands, or they may wish to honour a City legend, from either a bygone era or one of the current crop.

The supporters' club which chooses the winning name for the stand will attend the official opening of the stadium, have their club honoured with a plaque inside the stand, and will enjoy complimentary hospitality for the inaugural game at the stadium this summer.

A selection of the names under consideration along with Goater Road are said to be: New Maine Road; Maine Road; Joe Mercer Way; Blue Moon Boulevard; Commonwealth Way; Trautmann Terrace; Blue Moon Way; Colin Bell Avenue; Summerbee Street; Allison Avenue, Citizens Parade; Blue Moon Rise; 1894 Boulevard; Kippax Street; Moon Walk; The People's Way; and Sky Blue Road. sports reporter Anthony Jepson told yesterday that while the names were not set in stone, there was likely to be a lot of support for something incorporating Goater's name.

"He is a real cult hero at Maine Road," he said. "It will definitely be in the running. Of the current players he is one of the more prominent faces."

City press officer, Vicky Kloss confirmed that fans had suggested Goater's name, though stressed even if the club thought the idea viable, it would be down to Manchester City Council to give the final OK.

"In addition to the naming of the West Stand, the Club are currently in discussions with the City council regarding the potential naming of roads around the City of Manchester Stadium," said Ms Kloss.

"Some time ago, we invited fans to send in some suggestions as to what the roads could be called. Thousands of suggestions came through, many of which had a "Shaun presence", such as Goater Road and Shaun Goater Street. At the moment however, discussions are still ongoing with the City Council and no firm decisions have been made."

Ironically, if Goater is honoured in Manchester it will come before he is recognised in his homeland.