FFA won’t dip into marquee fund to help Central Coast Mariners secure sprint legend Usain Bolt
THE Central Coast Mariners are adamant they can get the best out of sprint king Usain Bolt, even after it emerged rivals Newcastle rejected the chance to try to lure the legendary sprinter Down Under.
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THE Central Coast Mariners are adamant they can get the best out of sprint king Usain Bolt, even after it emerged rivals Newcastle rejected the chance to try to lure the legendary sprinter Down Under.
The Gosford club insist they are serious about giving the 31-year-old a chance to impress, and are still negotiating for corporate support to secure Bolt for a six-week trial.
But Football Federation Australia insists it won’t be putting its hand in its pocket to fund it.
The Mariners players are already discussing their potential new teammate with one texting “balls in behind” upon hearing the news of the ‘pacy’ would-be recruit potentially flying down the left wing.
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After The Daily Telegraph exclusively revealed the Mariners’ Bolt plan on Tuesday, it has emerged the Jets swiftly said no when the idea was put to them.
If the Mariners are to lure Bolt to the Central Coast, it will need to be without the FFA’s financial help.
“FFA is working with Hyundai A-League clubs on a number of potential marquee players who are major names in football,” a spokesman told The Daily Telegraph.
“While Usain Bolt is one of the best known athletes in the world, he has not played football professionally.
“If, after a trial, Central Coast Mariners decide to offer him a contract, FFA will work with the club on how any deal might be financed.”
While the Mariners are working towards offering Bolt the chance to impress, the Jets have revealed they were offered a chance to discuss a move for Bolt.
“There was some talk and he was mentioned and I spoke to (Jets coach) Ernie (Merrick) three or four weeks ago,” Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna said on Tuesday night.
“But with Roy O’Donovan serving his suspension, what we need is a proven goalscorer. It was a simple decision. Usain Bolt is not a proven scorer.
“Having said that, I’ve had a look on YouTube and he’s got a touch and he can juggle. He’s also popped up at a few places hasn’t he? Man United and Dortmund.”
McKinna said it was for the Mariners to decide if Bolt would make the grade or not.
The Central Coast Mariners Official Supporters Club were caught by surprise but chairman Mark Leadbetter said it was certainly “interesting times.”
“You can’t knock the guy’s enthusiasm and let’s see how he goes on the pitch,” he said. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
“Mike Mulvey and the coaching staff will look at it and as long as it is not going to having a negative impact on the (club) culture then why not embrace it.
“I think the A-League has stagnated and needs a bit more vision, a bit more pizzazz. “Stardust is also a word I’ve heard used. So, interesting times.”
And one of the Mariners’ 2013 grand final-winning heroes, striker Daniel McBreen, is keeping an open mind about the idea with the potential for a win-win situation.
McBreen revealed the current squad were already preparing for their new ‘teammate’.
“I sent the front page of The Daily Telegraph to one of the (current squad) boys and immediately got a reply back which said ‘balls in behind’,” McBreen said.
“There’d certainly be some pace there, wouldn’t there.
“Look, I think if the Mariners had just handed him a contract then I think that would have been ridiculous but if it is a trial period, then who knows.
“I think it’s unlikely he is going to be good enough but what have the Mariners got to lose here? There’s already been lots of publicity and if he was to prove good enough then that would obviously generate more interest for the club, for the area and hopefully generate more sponsorship.”
While awareness of the Mariners name/brand has already received a massive boost on a global scale, what is in for Bolt? Clearly it’s not about the money.
“He’s moved on from that (sprinting) and maybe he’s always had a burning desire to make it as a footballer. Let’s see if he can,” McBreen said.
“There’s also the lifestyle the area can offer, of course.”
While the publicity is a winner for the club, what of the current squad? They were not talking about the issue on Tuesday but McBreen feels Bolt would be given a chance.
“I think the players would be pretty open-minded to be honest,” he said. “If he’s great, they’ll see that, if he’s not good enough … well, they’ll see that too.”
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