Usain Bolt

[nailsy]

Anyone else interested in seeing how Usain Bolt gets on with the switch from athletics to football?

https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2...essure-usain-bolt-takes-a-league-training-bow

 

[Danners9]

When Central Coast announced he'd be linking up with them a lot of the replies said the club is a meme and how embarrassing this was. First thing I did was check whether CCM were sponsored by Puma. Seems not..

In 2016, CCM let cameras in to film the training and some behind the scenes stuff:

Some of the comments also said that they are sacrificing their dignity for 15 mins of fame by signing Bolt (the series above suggests that is an exaggeration as they have already had cameras on them...).

I haven't seen all of the episodes but they came across as a sensible club. Not huge by A-League standards but in a nice part of NSW and a rivalry with Newcastle Jets going strong so they are an attraction to overseas players.

They also said at the time that Bolt would be living in the area rather than in Sydney and commuting so it seems there is a serious intention to make it work. I wonder if Bolt is any good.. but in any case, he is 32 and hasn't played professional football before, not that either of those things precludes him doing well in the A-League .

 

[Marty]

He trained with Strømsgodset in Norway, a mid-table top division side, for a couple of weeks earlier in the year and safe to say he didn't impress. Played 45 minutes in a friendly and when he let the club basically said "thanks for the publicity, but no thanks".

No idea how A-league compares to Norway but I'd imagine they're around the same level, in which case I'd be amazed if he did well.

 

[Danners9]

Usain Bolt is reportedly seeking a $3 million contract with Central Coast Mariners should his trial prove successful ahead of the 2018-19 A-League season.

The Jamaican sprint star's impending deal, one of the richest in Australian football history, will be backed predominantly by Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth, according to The Daily Telegraph.

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/mayday-for-mariners-as-bolt-eyes-big-money-deal
Usain.. more like Insane amirite... so about 2m GBP, one of the highest ever in Australian sokkah for a guy who has never played the sport professionally

PR and sponsorship aside, that's crazy.

The FFA may benefit, and the local area as a whole, but then again.. FIFA are about to shut the FFA down.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/fifa-endorses-reform-ending-lowy-s-reign-20180823-p4zz7a.html

 

[jurgen]

Surprised west ham haven't got involved to be honest. Especially as they already have a running track for him.

 

[thecook]

He'll be shit and I doubt even get a game, unless money is being thrown at the club by sponsors

 

[Dougal]

I’m not big into athletics. Can anyone confirm if Sissoko used to be a famous athlete who has been shoehorned in to another sport by sponsorship money or maybe the Make a Wish Foundation? Much appreciated.

 

[nailsy]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45834453

Usain Bolt has scored his first goals for a professional football team, getting two on his first start for Central Coast Mariners in a friendly.

The Jamaican eight-time Olympic sprint champion scored the Mariners' third and fourth goals in a 4-0 win over Macarthur South West and celebrated with his trademark lightning bolt pose.

Bolt joined the A-League club in August for an "indefinite training period".

"My first start and scoring two goals, it's a good feeling," Bolt, 32, said.

"I'm happy I could come here and show the world I'm improving. I'm keen to be a Mariner, to play my best and get into the team."

For his opening goal Bolt ran on to a chipped ball played by Scotland striker Ross McCormack, held off the defender and finished powerfully low past the goalkeeper.

He capitalised on a defensive mix-up for his second, with Macarthur defender and goalkeeper colliding to leave Bolt to tap in from close range.

McCormack, on loan from Aston Villa, headed in the Mariners' first goal in the eighth minute.

 

[bomberH]

What a goal.

https://media1.tenor.co/images/77e5d5b5e585181d5f5aa18da84ebd38/tenor.gif?itemid=7395108