Usain Bolt’s A-League experiment ends as sprinter leaves Mariners
Olympic gold medal sprinter Usain Bolt has left the Central Coast Mariners after a trial at the A-League club.
Key points:
- Just under 10,000 people watched Bolt play for the Mariners in an August practice match
- However, the world champion sprinter never took the field in an A-League game
- Bolt and the club struggled to find a commercial deal to extend his stay in Australia
Bolt's representative and the Mariners have advised his indefinite training period has ended, effective immediately.
"I wish the club success for the season ahead," Bolt said in a statement.
Bolt's representative Ricky Simms and the A-League club had been in conversations with external partners to find a "commercial solution" for the sprinter to continue playing.
The club said despite "several promising potential partners" the eight-time Olympic gold medallist and the Gosford-based club could not get a deal done.
The Mariners said he had made "significant progress" in his time training and playing at the club.
Bolt arrived in Australia in August and scored two goals in a practice match last month against A-League aspirants Macarthur South West United, however he never played an A-League game.
The club said last month they had offered Bolt a contract proposal but salary remained a substantial obstacle to a deal being reached.
A-League boss Greg O'Rourke last month said it was "much, much less" than what the sprinter's camp were expecting.
Bolt's camp had reportedly asked for a deal of around $3 million, but the Mariners' offer was reportedly in the vicinity of $150,000.
In a statementclub owner Mike Charlesworth thanked Bolt for his time with the Mariners
"We've been thrilled to have the Olympic champion sprinter and world record holder as part of our club," he said.
"From day one, Usain dedicated himself to being part of the Mariners.
"He integrated very well into the team and made great strides as a footballer."
Bolt had been offered a two-year deal with Maltese football club Valletta FC but he has not made clear his intentions for his fledgling football career.
While Bolt was criticised in some quarters for not being up to professional football standard, and his ability to bring in fans through the turnstiles was undeniable.
Just under 10,000 turned out for a Mariners pre-season friendly in August — a fixture that last year struggled to attract 300 die-hards, even with entrance set at a gold coin donation.
Last season, when the Mariners finished last, their highest attendance was 12,044, and they averaged 7,194.
Bolt's huge social media audience has also exposed to A-League to new markets.
A video Bolt posted on Instagram of one of his goals against Macarthur South West Untied has been viewed 5.4 million times.
The Mariners have drawn their first two matches in the A-League this season and are sixth on the table.
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