Usain Bolt: Sprint star begins first day of A-League bid at Gosford Stadium
THE very concept of Usain Bolt tucked up in bed at 10pm is about as foreign to some as his ambitions to play professional football.
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UPDATE: THE very concept of Usain Bolt tucked up in bed at 10pm is about as foreign to some as his ambitions to play professional football.
“At the start, definitely,” the distinguished party boy exclaimed to roars of laughter from the rabble of reporters gathered for his first official Central Coast training session.
Even coach Mike Mulvey cracked a smile.
“That’s the truth, I’m not going to lie. I have to get fit first.
“I do want to enjoy the city, and the life, but I’m still going to remember that I’m a professional footballer now so I’ve got to respect the rules and the coach.”
On Bolt’s 32nd birthday, that’s saying something.
So, for now at least, Pulse nightclub will have to wait.
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He might eventually get there, though, because the Mariners are prepared to play the long game with the world-famous Jamaican sprinter.
An hour after observing Bolt in a light session yesterday, Mulvey declared a decision on whether he’ll be offered an A-League contract won’t be rushed.
“We’re absolutely delighted that Usain has chosen our club, this great community in Central Coast, to actually further his ambition,” Mulvey said.
“So if it takes 12 months — I’ll say that out loud — I’m happy for him to be here.”
A relaxed, no-frills Bolt was the first to volunteer there’s a long way to go.
Ten minutes of passing drills gave that away before he retired, clearly tuckered out, to watch his new teammates in a seven-a-side game.
Afterwards he reminded anyone yet to catch one of his eight Olympic gold-medal displays that he’s “very cool under pressure”, but the dozens of shuttering cameras present for this routine run-out was enough to make even the most confident champion nervous.
“It’s just like track and field — the first day of training is always the roughest,” Bolt said.
“You can tell how much work you need to put in and what you need to do. But it felt okay.
“I know it’s going to take time and work, and I’m ready to work.
“I’m definitely out of my comfort zone, but that’s why you train. That’s why I’m here — to get better, to get comfortable to play. I’m going to learn a lot from all the players.
“This is my first chance to get to a level where I can play as a professional footballer. I don’t know what to expect so I’m just here to push myself and learn as much as possible.
“I told the coach at the start, ‘I’m here with a blank slate. No matter what I’ve learnt or seen on TV, for me it’s a blank slate to get better’.”
Bolt, who revealed he’d had offers from other teams in France and Spain but was put off by the language barrier, has told Mulvey he’s ‘okay’ on the wing and ‘good’ at centre-forward, with his position still very much to be determined.
He won’t feature in this Saturday’s pre-season trial against Newcastle Jets in Maitland but Mulvey predicted he’d be ready to debut in Friday week’s friendly against a group of local players.
Between now and then the focus is getting fit. Then proving critics wrong.
Persistent daydreams of one day running out for Manchester United keep him motivated. Finally being part of a team feels “wonderful”. And he’s lapping up the lack of special treatment at his new home.
“The coaches will treat me just like a footballer should be treated, though they’ll help me as much as they possibly can,” Bolt said.
“But I want to be treated as one of the boys, I don’t want to be treated like I’m the world’s fastest man. I want to be treated like I’m a footballer, because that’s what I want to be.”
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