Shaw hails Bermudian Goater’s impact

MANCHESTER, England (CMC):

Manchester City’s Jamaican star Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has hailed the impact of club legend Bermudian Shaun Goater on her already impressive career.

The 26-year-old Spanish Town-born striker joined the north England giants two years ago from French side Bordeaux, and has since struck up a great relationship with Goater, who is now a member of manager Gareth Taylor’s backroom staff.

Goater netted 103 goals in 212 appearances for City in a productive spell between 1998 and 2003.

“Shaun came more often towards the end of last year but, even in the beginning, he would [give] me little pointers that would go a far way, because sometimes the little details can go a far way,” said Shaw, who has already scored nine times in the Women’s Super League this season, to be the joint leading scorer alongside Chelsea’s Lauren James.

“For example, towards the beginning of last year, he would tell me little stuff like ‘try not to let the centre backs see you and the ball’.

“So I would take stuff like that and try it on the training pitch at first, and then sometimes I would do it in games.”

She added: “When I heard he was coming around more often, I was excited because now he could actually come on the pitch and we could actually work together more often, and stuff like that.

“Shaun’s great for sure.”

Goater first joined City’s Academy coach staff two years ago, working with various age groups from the foundation level up to the professional development level.

A holder of an UEFA ‘A’ licence, the 53-year-old also enjoyed spells at Doncaster Rovers and St Johnstone, working with their forwards.

He joined Taylor’s staff almost a year ago now, a move Shaw said had paid dividends for her career.

“In my first year [at City], I would walk around and I would see him and he would say, ‘let’s catch up, let’s catch up’ but we never got the opportunity to,” she recalled during the latest club podcast on New Year’s Day.

“He would watch some of the games … and I would always see him around but we never got the opportunity to catch up. Last year – my second year – he came around more often … we would sit down and watch videos.”

She added: “He’s such a [great guy]. I love Shaun.”

Shaw lashed 31 goals from 30 games in all competitions last season, to be adjudged the club’s Player-of-the-Season.