long-time North Village junior coach Harold (Doc) Dowling all sorts of problems.

Most of their disagreements stemmed from Goater being ahead of his time and this resulted in an unwillingness to be stuck in the Mini-Minor, Minor and Bantam divisions with his age group.

After a few seasons as a prolific scorer with the Village senior team, Goater left at 17 on an apprenticeship with English League giants Manchester United.

And after an up-and-down period, which landed him at Rotherham United, all Bermuda will be pleased to know that the 21-year-old's time has finally come.

Last Wednesday night was a special one for Goater and Bermuda as well. His winning goal against Premier League side Everton in the first leg of the League Cup second round was chronicled in the national Press and Bermuda went along for the ride even though "Bermudian'' was often misspelled as "Bermudan''.

It was not only the goal that earned Goater acclaim. His performance on the night was dazzling, though by his own admittance he should have scored at least once more.

Pace was the order of the night for Goater as Everton's experiment with the sweeper system was smashed.

Goater repeatedly gave Alan Harper an unsettling time and Dave Watson, Gary Ablett, Andy Hinchcliffe and John Ebbrell were equally at odds.

The next morning, the British Press went to town with the following headlines: "GLORY BOY; Shaun looks the real thing'' -- Daily Mirror "Everton Goater pieces'' -- The Sun "SHAUN STRIKES; Brilliant Southall falls to Goater'' -- Daily Express "Everton shocker; Rotherham are buoyed by Bermudan's beauty'' -- Daily Mail It must be noted that Goater has taken to spelling his christian name with a `U' in England but his girlfriend who is with him confirms that `Shawn' is correct.

With Goater's goal tally standing at six from 12 matches, it was no wonder that Rotherham balked at the Bermuda Football Association's request to have him return for 10 weeks to prepare for the World Cup second-round qualifiers.

As compromise would have it, Goater will indeed return, but for seven weeks, and the BFA will have to fork out $6,000 to Rotherham for his services.

Is he worth it? You bet your boots! Not since the days of Clyde Best has Bermuda had cause to feel something special could happen to one of our soccer players in England.

Best starred with West Ham United for several years and while there have been many others, such as current national team coach Gary Darrell, who have had success professionally, no one has reached such starry heights.

And if reports from last Saturday's Division Two match are correct, there were scouts from Premier League Sheffield Wednesday and Wimbledon at Millmoor to watch Goater in the Merry Millers' 3-2 comeback win over Blackpool.

Goater did not make the scorers' list in the victory but his showing left interested parties in a holding pattern until tomorrow at home to Huddersfield and next Wednesday at Goodison Park when Everton will want to prove their top division pedigree.

The first leg saw Everton without injured star Peter Beardsley who has a hamstring strain, but he will no doubt be back in action as the Blues attempt to overcome the deficit, which could have been insurmountable had Rotherham merely taken half their clear chances.

The BFA is justified in wanting Goater back, spare no cost. As without him it will be difficult to get the necessary numbers into National Stadium to offset mounting World Cup expenditure -- estimated now at over $290,000.

SHAWN GOATER -- Six thousand dollar man.