Charlesworth tips Bolt to crack an A-League contract

Usain Bolt can defy the doubters and prove himself worthy of an A-League contract, according to Central Coast Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth.

Usain Bolt at the trial match between the Central Coast Mariners and Central Coast Select XI Source: Getty Images

The Englishman was there in person to witness Bolt’s 19-minute cameo against a Central Coast Select last Friday night in front of an impressive crowd in Gosford. 

And he said what he saw - a stop-start effort from the Jamaican sprint legend - was exactly what he expected as this point in Bolt’s football evolution.

Charlesworth’s expectation is that the 32-year-old A-League contract hunter will improve expediently over the coming months, and will ultimately show “he can add some value to the squad”.

“We’re expecting a steady level of improvement over the next few months,” said Charlesworth before heading back to the UK.

“We’re not putting a timeline on it, or how long he will be with us. 

“But I would be expecting him to be at a level where he can add some value to the squad.

“And if he can do that we will be looking to sign him.

“We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t feel he had a realistic chance of making the grade.

“But let’s see how he goes. The question is ‘can he or can’t he?’ and that hasn’t been answered yet.”

Though Bolt remains a work in progress, Charlesworth insisted his commitment was unwavering and his presence had lifted the entire club and created a buzz about town.

“It all comes down to his ability and his mindset,” he added. “His mindset is spot on, so it’s about finding out if his body is able to make the required level of improvement. We think it probably is but no one can really answer that yet.

“There’s one thing that’s not in doubt and that’s his commitment. He’s here for the long-haul and we’ll give them every opportunity to succeed.

“Hopefully it gets to the point where (coach) Mike Mulvey says to us he wants him. It’s his decision ultimately.”

Bolt will be pushed through a series of rigorous fitness drills before his next hit-out against yet-to-be-determined opposition on October 6.

“Being honest, the game on Friday probably came a bit too soon for him,” added Charlesworth. “He was probably a bit knackered but i think you’ll see a marked improvement from here.”

While expecting plenty of blow-back from football purists and sceptics over the Bolt experiment, Charlesworth believes the Central Coast has embraced the project.

“The community has got behind it. They turned out in numbers and we were pleased with that,” he added.

“He comes to the Central Coast and people are marketing Red Stripe Jamaican beer and there are signs in shops welcoming him.

“It’s a big thing for a small community. You put an elite athlete like that into a squad of players and it lifts them. It’s lifted everybody. 

“He’s a good guy ... he’s not just a superstar. He’s a very genuine and quite a humble person.”

While Charlesworth would not divulge the specifics of a potential contract reportedly worth up to $3 million, he believes the FFA will be more than willing to chip in should be prove his “credibility”.

“He’s had offers to play for staggering amounts in other countries,” he said.

“He came here because he likes the lifestyle and he is already one of the family. 

“If a contract offer is forthcoming we have an expectancy that the FFA will contribute but as would be the case with any marketable player they’ll want a level of credibility, which of course we do too. 

“From a data perspective he’s already smashed every record possible. Over 350 million people globally have read about him and his hopes of playing on the A-League.

“Of course the FFA would want to capitalise on that but they won’t do that until they know he’s up to the level.”