Usain Bolt experiment at Mariners running out of legs

Usain Bolt’s dream of becoming a professional footballer expected to end in disappointment.

Usain Bolt celebrates scoring one of his goals for the Mariners against Macarthur South West United. Picture: AFP

The end appears to be looming for the Usain Bolt experiment — and it is not likely to be good news for the world’s fastest man.

Despite reports he has been offered a contract, The Australian understands the Jamaican superstar won’t get to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional footballer, at least not with the Central Coast Mariners in the A-League.

While Bolt’s agent Ricky Simms confirmed on Sunday a contract, minimal as it is, has been tabled, the club was not prepared to either confirm or deny the offer, preferring to go underground as possibly the biggest story in world sport exploded around them.

Attempts by The Australian to get a reaction to the contract talk from Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth, who is based in England, fell on deaf ears.

But it has been reported the offer on the table is far, far less than the $3 million that has been touted for some time and is closer to $150,000, which would put Bolt in the range of what the average A-League player gets.

The Australian understands Bolt’s management, which had been looking for a far bigger payday, is unlikely to accept the offer, leaving the way clear for the eight-time Olympic gold medallist and the club to mutually part company, ending his trial period at close to three months.

The Mariners have been left with no alternative given the fact the A-League season has started and there are no more opportunities for Bolt to play in trial matches and get some much-needed experience.

Central Coast need to now concentrate totally on the squad they have without the distractions the Bolt situation brings with it.

The latest development comes amid suggestions from former Mariners star Daniel McBreen that Bolt “just isn’t good enough” to play in the A-League — a view backed by a number of experts, including former Socceroos captain John Kosmina.

Adding to the intrigue is that Mariners coach Mike Mulvey has apparently been left in the dark, saying he is unaware if the club has made an offer to Bolt — a strange situation, if true, to say the least.

Bolt has been in Australia since August in a bid to convince the Mariners he is good enough to earn a contract.

The 32-year-old played 20 minutes as a substitute in a trial against a local team from the Central Coast then 45 minutes in another trial, before his first serious hitout against a south west Sydney select side at Campbelltown on October 12, a game which he said would “make or break” his chances.

While he started the match, played 75 minutes, scored two goals and got worldwide attention, the Jamaican was far from impressive, looked out of his depth and was way off the pace compared to his teammates.

Following that performance, it emerged that Bolt’s management had received an offer from Dubai-backed Maltese club Valletta FC, who were reportedly offering a two-year plus one contract with no restrictions. The Malta offer meant that, unlike his situation at the Central Coast, Bolt did not have to trial and would be thrown straight into the starting XI.

However, the Valetta deal was viewed in some quarters as a ploy to force the Mariners into offering Bolt a contract immediately. He subsequently turned down the Maltese offer.

McBreen, now a Fox Sports analyst, said Bolt should not be offered a contract.

“Anyone who knows football and watched him the other week (in a trial) knows he is not good enough,” declared McBreen.

“It is as simple as that.

“I don’t care if it’s $3 million or a minium wage, if he is not good enough he isn’t good enough.

“I just wonder why we are still having this debate.”

McBreen said he felt sorry for Mulvey having to deal with a situation that was out of his control.

“We don’t know if it is true or not and it could be agent-speak for all we know,” he said. “It was uncomfortable watching Mulvey go through the interview straight after the game. I think the Bolt thing has run its course because the team doesn’t need that distraction. They need to get on with the season, both players and coaching staff.”