leading the club back to the English Premiership, international striker Shaun Goater received a hero's welcome last night upon his arrival at Bermuda Airport.

Goater was feted with praise from family, friends and local dignitaries, including Sports Minister Dennis Lister and BFA president Neville Tyrrell, as the Airport Lounge was officially christened.

Outside the terminal he was greeted by more than 100 fans, several chanting `Feed the Goat', the slogan used by Man City supporters to salute their leading goalscorer.

And the Bermudian soccer great can expect more commendations, with a full reception planned for June 22 at City Hall, where he will be received on the steps and a proclamation made in his honour. There will also be a motorcade parading Goater around the streets of Hamilton.

Accompanied by his pregnant wife, Anita, Goater returned to the Island via Atlanta, having recently spent a vacation in the Bahamas with his City team-mates.

Lister held up Goater as a shining example to the people, especially the youth, of Bermuda as a positive role model.

"Having known Shaun for a number of years, having served as Shadow Minister for Youth and Sports when Shaun first went off to play in England, I've had numerous occasions to sit and talk with Shaun. And the Shaun that I see today is a very mature, very developed, cultured individual...not only on the field, but all around,'' said Lister during a press briefing prior to Goater's arrival.

"As a role model he stands head and shoulders above others for our young people to emulate, not only on the field, but off the field as well.'' Yet the question begged as to why Goater had been singled out for such lavishness before even kicking a ball in the Premiership, when former West Ham United striker Clyde Best were never acknowledged in such a manner.

Lister responded by noting how the new era of a PLP Government had a goal of acknowledging Bermudians amid their success.

"Clyde Best's reign was under the era of another Government, and if that Government didn't recognise him in this manner then I can't apologise or make excuses for that Government,'' said Lister.

"This Government sees fit to recognise Shaun in this way, in that Shaun is a son of the soil and has done extremely well in helping his team reach the heights that they have accomplished in terms of the Premiership.

"Naturally we wish him all sorts of success and his team as they compete in the Premier Division. And surely, should they rise to champions of that division we should have to look at doing something else at that juncture as well.'' Home, sweet home: Manchester City star Shaun Goater receives a hero's welcome as he steps outside the airport arrivals' terminal last night.