Usain Bolt Offered Full-Time Contract by Central Coast Mariners
Oct 21, 2018
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 12: Usain Bolt of the Mariners celebrates scoring his first goal during the pre-season friendly match between the Central Coast Mariners and Macarthur South West United at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on October 12, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Usain Bolt's agent has said the retired Jamaican sprinter has been offered a full-time contract by A-League outfit the Central Coast Mariners after scoring twice in a recent trial game for the club.
Bolt netted a brace in a friendly against Macarthur South West United, and agent Ricky Simms has since told ESPN: "I can confirm Usain has been offered a contract by Central Coast Mariners."
The eight-time Olympic gold-medal winner recently received an offer to join Maltese club Valletta FC on a two-year contract but turned it down. Bolt is said to be in Melbourne "considering his options."
ESPN provided highlights of Bolt's trial outing againstMacarthurSouth West United, which ended 4-0 in favour of the A-League favourites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJsCkJInZDI
Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp reportedly left the club's offer with Bolt's management, and it's now up to the player as to whether he accepts.
It's a difficult decision for the football newcomer. At 32, he won't get many more chances at playing the game professionally, but Bolt—who previously dazzled in an individual sport, where the spotlight was fixed upon him—may wonder if he could do better.
Mariners coach MikeMulveytold Fox Sports he was unaware of the Bolt proposition and, judging by his willingness to reel off players who already occupy his attack, isn't champing at the bit to sign the speedster:
'It's news to me'.
Mariners coach Mike Mulvey responds to @DanielGarb after reports surfaced that Usain Bolt has been offered a contract by the Central Coast Club.
Central Coast drew 1-1 at Brisbane Roar on Saturday in their 2018-19 A-League season opener and are desperate for change after several years of gloomy results.
The club has finished bottom of the division in two of the past three seasons and hasn't finished above eighth in any of its past four regular-season campaigns.
The Mariners may not be the most appealing of A-League destinations, but then Bolt has to question whether he could realistically do better given he has no professional experience.
Even from the other side of the world, Bolt was keeping his eye on Manchester United on Saturday, when they drew 2-2 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, while he goes about making his decision:
A professional career appears to await Bolt should the offer prove amicable and he wants to take the Mariners up on their offer, as the fastest man to have ever lived sits on the cusp of a major career transition.
Usain Bolt Joins Central Coast Mariners for 'Indefinite Training Period'
Aug 7, 2018
NANTERRE, FRANCE - JUNE 12: Usain Bolt of FIFA 98 reacts during the Friendly match between France 98 and FIFA 98 at U Arena on June 12, 2018 in Nanterre near Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
Former sprinting star Usain Bolt has joined A-League side Central Coast Mariners for an "indefinite training period."
The club announced the Jamaican's arrival on Tuesday:
We’re set to welcome @usainbolt to @CCMariners for an indefinite training period. Let’s hear from the world’s fastest man.
Bolt has previously trained with Borussia Dortmund, Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Stromsgodset as he looks to embark on a professional football career at the age of 31, following his retirement from sprinting last year.
In a statement on the Mariners' official website, the club said their agreement with Bolt "does not guarantee a professional playing contract," but they hope to help him fulfil his ambition of playing the sport at a professional level.
Bolt said of the move:
"I am very excited about coming to Australia and would like to thank the owner and management of the Central Coast Mariners for giving me this opportunity.
"It has been my dream to play professional football and I know that it will involve a lot of hard work and training to get to the level required to play and make an impact in the A-League.
"When I spoke to the Head Coach Mike Mulvey on the phone he outlined the ambitions of the club and his plans for the upcoming season. I hope I can make a positive contribution to the club and look forward to meeting the other players, staff and fans in the coming weeks.
"I always say that 'anything is possible, don't think limits' and I look forward to the challenge."
Bolt also featured in a charity match for Soccer Aid in June as a forward:
He'll arrive in Australia for training on August 18.
Fox Sports Australia's Daniel Garb gave his take on the move:
Let's just hope the Mariners treat this like a proper trial. If he's not up to it after a week (which I very much doubt he will be) say thank you, move him on and give the chance to an actual footballer.
The track star won gold in the men's 100 metres, 200 metres and 4x100-metre relay at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, though the relay gold from 2008 was stripped from him last year after team-mate Nesta Carter's doping sample failed a retest.
He also won 11 World Championship gold medals and holds the world records for the 100-metre and 200-metre sprints, having set both in Berlin in 2009.
It's evident Bolt will have the pace to terrorise defenders, but he'll need to show he has the technical ability and footballing nous to go with it if he's to make it as a professional.
Usain Bolt in Talks to Play with Australian Soccer Club Central Coast Mariners
Jul 16, 2018
NANTERRE, FRANCE - JUNE 12: Usain Bolt of FIFA 98 reacts during the Friendly match between France 98 and FIFA 98 at U Arena on June 12, 2018 in Nanterre near Paris, France. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt is in negotiations for a trial with the Central Coast Mariners of the Australian A-League, the Sydney Morning Herald's Rachel Clun reported.
"There's still a lot of work to do in regards to understanding exactly how the deal would work out and how things would look," Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp said. "But things are very positive at the moment so we're really excited that looks like a good six week trial period that we'll be able to facilitate."
The Mariners also released a statement confirming the club is working on a deal with Bolt. However, Central Coast seemingly attempted to temper any excitement over a prospective move, noting the ongoing negotiations "require an initial six-week-trial period and no contract is guaranteed."
Bolt retired from competitive sprinting in August 2017, which allowed him to devote more time to a career in soccer. The 31-year-old trained with Borussia Dortmund in March:
He also participated in the Soccer Aid 2018 exhibition in June that benefited UNICEF.
Mielekamp posited Bolt could suit up for the Mariners at some point during the 2018-19 A-League season. Central Coast kicks off the campaign Oct. 21 against Brisbane Roar FC. The 27-match regular season wraps up April 26, 2019.
Ballboy Trolls Tim Cahill by Removing Corner Flag Before Trademark Celebration
Dec 31, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfm4sYnK6Qc
Ballboys don't come much pluckier than this.
Central Coast Mariners were hosting Melbourne City in the A-League on Saturday, when Tim Cahill put the visiting side ahead with a trademark header after 40 minutes.
The Australian legend promptly headed for the corner to perform his familiar flag-boxing celebration only for a home ballboy to step forward and remove the flag from its slot as Cahill approached.
After a brief pause in which the former Everton man appeared unsure how to respond, he made do by carrying out the signature move on thin air.
The Mariners scored twice in the second half before City hit a last minute-equaliser, but it's the plucky ballboy who will be the talk of the internet for his cheeky manoeuvre.
[YouTube]
Luis Garcia Scores 1st a-League Goal with Cheeky Backheel Finish
Luis Garcia scored his first A-League goal in just his second appearance for the Central Coast Mariners as his new side recorded a 3-1 win over Wellington Phoenix on Saturday.
The former Liverpool midfielder didn't start the game but came off the bench at half-time to make an immediate impact, scoring one and setting up the other two goals in the Mariners' win.
Garcia's 50th-minute strike was the highlight, as he broke the deadlock with a delightful backheeled finish past the stranded goalkeeper.
