Usain Bolt could be set to become a full-time professional footballer in the A-League following reports that the Central Coast Mariners have offered the legendary sprinter a contract.
The full truth of the matter remains unclear, however, especially after Mariners coach Mike Mulvey claimed the offer was ‘news to him’ and questioned whether Bolt could get a game in his team.
“It’s news to me, but do you think he’d get in our front three?” Mulvey said.
“All I know is what we’ve just done, we’ve got Connor Paine, Michael McGlinchey, Tommy Oar, Matt Simon, Ross McCormack – we’ve got a very good front third.
“I don’t know anything about that, is that hot off the press it is?”
Despite Mulvey’s comments, it appears that an offer of some kind has been made to Bolt, as was confirmed by his manager Ricky Simms.
“In response to the media stories, yes, Usain has been offered a contract. I do not want to make any further comment at this stage,” said Simms.
It’s not clear what kind of compensation Bolt would receive on the offer for the Mariners, nor do we know anything about how long the agreement might go for.
The news comes after Bolt and his management recently turned down a two-year offer to join Valletta FC in the Maltese Premier League.
Bolt recently scored two goals in a pre-season trial match for the Mariners.
chris
Guest
BT sadly I think you're right. I saw nothing in the Mariners over the weekend that would suggest anything but a tough hard season ahead. If Taggart was even a half accurate with his finishing it could have been 4 or 5. They seem to lack creative players and McCormack - whilst he will get you goals, is barely mobile. Connor Pain is a supporting player at best. Given this, you may as well throw Bolt into the mix. At least they might make some money as I can't see them being competitive.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Mulvey needs to wake up to himself, that was a wooden spoon performance. McCormack the blob didn;t move much, and is not the right to player to put along Matt Simon. Connor Pain its great for him to play on the right from a goal scoring point of view, but that takes away the only player the Mariners had that could dribble and beat players in order to setup the blob. By far the biggest problem I have ever seen at any club is Hilarej, at least I think thats his name, this guy is beyond belief, he doesnt mark anyone, he doesn't tackle , he doesn't block, he just struts around the top of the penalty area and lets the opposition do whatever they like.
At work
Roar Rookie
What a joke. Poor Mulvey