Usain Bolt not giving up hope of professional football career after Central Coast Mariners exit

SUPERSTAR sprinter Usain Bolt is determined to stick with football, adamant that he still has the skills to make it at the top level despite quitting A-League club Central Coast Mariners over a pay dispute.

Usain Bolt at Flemington for Derby Day.

SUPERSTAR sprinter Usain Bolt is determined to stick with football, adamant that he still has the skills to make it at the top level.

Bolt, 32, parted ways with A-League outfit Central Coast Mariners on Friday after contract negotiations failed.

But while he is “a little bit” sad to have his football dream over for now, he is hopeful another opportunity will arise.

“It’s sad that it didn’t work out,” Bolt told the Herald Sun.

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“But we parted on good terms, and that’s a good thing.

“I had a great experience with them. The guys were great — we just couldn’t work out things with the contract, but hopefully I get another chance with another team.”

The Jamaican sprinter joined the Mariners in August on a trial, scoring two goals in a practice match last month.

It had been hoped that a third-party deal could be struck to meet Bolt’s price, but they fell down this week leaving the eight-time Olympic gold medallist without a football home.

Usain Bolt at Flemington for Derby Day.

Bolt has quit the Central Coast Mariners but is still hopeful of playing soccer professionally. Picture: Brett Costello

He said he would persist with the sporting switch and said he learned plenty from his time at the A-League club.

“For sure (I’ll stick with it),” Bolt said.

“We’ll see what happens. I think people are still contacting my agent now about opportunities, so we’ll see in which direction it goes.

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“For me, I’ve learned that I still have it. I figure that I was improving a lot, so as you can see from the first game to the last game, I really improved and did better. I’ve learned that it’s a little bit harder, but it’s all about dedication and work with the team.”

The world’s fastest man is at Flemington on Saturday for the Victoria Derby, arriving in style — complete with gold cane — to the GH Mumm marquee in the Birdcage.

“Yeah (I like the races), every chance I get every year I try to come here, because I really enjoy just slipping in a suit and looking nice and being at the racing and soaking up the atmosphere,” he said.

Originally published as Usain Bolt not giving up hope of professional football career after Central Coast Mariners exit