23 Oct Is the Usain Bolt experiment drawing to an end?

Chief soccer writer at The Australian Ray Gatt believes Usain Bolt’s dream of becoming a professional footballer at the Central Coast Mariners is drawing to an end.

The Mariners confirmed they have tabled an offer to Bolt, but will need financial assistance from a third-party in order to the meet the demands of the former Olympian and his management.

Gatt doubts there will be any takers in providing the suitable fiscal help for such an unproven player.

“I’ve been saying it for quite some time, that Usain Bolt isn’t good enough to play in the A-League,” Gatt told SEN Afternoons.

“In terms of the third party agreement, I don’t think there is anyone that is going to come up and stump the sort of money that’s being bandied about.

“There’s suggestions of a three-million dollar contract and I don’t know who would be prepared to put anywhere near that sort of money up to secure Usain Bolt who is a totally unproven player.”

CENTRAL COAST CONFIRM USAIN BOLT CONTRACT OFFER

The fact he can’t train with the A-League side at the moment means the 32-year-old is running out of time to prove his worth.

“It’s probably a sensible decision but I also think it’s quite instructive as well for Usain Bolt to be away from the training group,” Gatt added.

“It just means he is a little bit further away from getting that experience, the big issue here is that there’s no games for him to play at the Mariners.

“They would have to sign him to a contract then play him in the National Youth League and he’s not going put up with that, that’s why I think it’s all over – the Bolt experiment has run its course.

“It was good while it lasted, plenty of publicity for the A-League and for the Mariners, but now it’s time to move on.”

Listen to Ray Gatt's chat on SEN Afternoons with Brett Phillips in the player below