At age 23 Shaun was a late entrant in the world of professional football when joining Exeter City in 1986. He played 200 games there winning the [then] 4th Division Championship before a move to Swindon Town.
He was an ever present in 92/93 season scoring a Flintesque 13 goals as that lot down the M4 secured promotion to the Premier League. Again an ever present in that one season in the top flight, two successive relegations followed before he led the side back to the Championship.
Shaun's move to City for £50k came in September 1996 and although missing the last 10 games of the season through injury he'd already established himself as a firm favourite with the fans with his tough uncompromising style.
97/98 is the season he will be remembered for as he captained the side to promotion under John Ward. Had Goater not been sold and Shaun not suffered injury in the top of the table clash with Watford with 3 games remaining City probably would have gone up as Champions rather than runners-up.
That injury against Watford perhaps more than anything contributed to that single season [98/99] in the Championship as he did not play until 8 games from the end and by then City's relegation was all but secured.
Shaun hung up his boots in 2000 but stayed on the coaching staff until 2005 then followed spells with FGR ,Exeter and Torquay.
Still living in his native Devon, Shaun is now a Maintenance Manager for a local care home group.
How we could have done with someone possessing his character and commitment in recent years!
WATFORD [H] the verdict ..... it was OK, no more than that
WEST HAM [H] the verdict ....Manning's Marvels are just that as City get physical!
PNE [A] the verdict .... we’ve just got to grin & bear it
WEST HAM [A] the verdict ..... City, you did us proud
MILLWALL [H] the verdict .... should we just accept we are in [another] period of transition?
B’HAM CITY [A] the verdict ..... a game we should have won
WATFORD [A] the verdict ...... the most complete performance for a VERY long time
HULL CITY [H] the verdict .... Robins maul Tigers in 5-goal thriller
SUNDERLAND [H] the verdict ..... we got away with that one & MOL was excellent
BLACKBURN [A] the verdict .... we played well for 20 minutes then he changed it!!
HUDDERSFIELD [A] the verdict .... a match we should have won?
NORWICH [H] the verdict .... let’s just accept we are a work in progress
SOUTHAMPTON [H] the verdict .... City pay the price for 1st half missed chances
BORO [H] the verdict ..... goal of the season & maybe just a hint of the shape of things to come?
QPR [A] the verdict... let’s not overreact after just one game
Manning is our man ... dawn of a new era
SHEFF WED [H] the verdict ..... time to move on
Pearson gone - I can’t recall the fanbase being so united in anger about anything like this before
CARDIFF [A] the verdict ..... injury ravaged side loses in close fought game
IPSWICH [H] the verdict.... another game of fine margins
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