Central Coast Mariners - Under New Ownership

Two completed passes in 75 minutes

So thats a goals to passes ratio of 1:2. Impressive!

We are forgetting something. He's trying to earn a contract with CCM. Stats like that will help his cause

1:1

Yeah he scored two goals. I like everything about the guy, his condidence/arrogance, swagger, belief in his own potential and his marketability. I hope they sign him. 6000 people turned up to watch him play a pre-season regional game!

If he gets an extra 5000 people through our gates it can only be good for us... especially if we win convincingly.

The reality is, as a club we can't buy that sort of publicity at the moment...so lets use his.

he looks better than he did the last couple of times. Used to a high performance environment and committed. A side show, but one of the better sideshows to grace the league 

Bolt Refuses drug test ?

IT’S OFFICIAL! European pro offer for Bolt.
Usain Bolt’s recent efforts in Australia have triggered an official offer from a European professional club currently vying for European Cup football.
1/2

— Soccer Stoppage Time (@SocStoppageTime) October 15, 2018

The delay in marketing and marquee funding assistance by the FFA will result in the Jamaican and world superstar pursuing his football journey away from the A-League. The offer to Bolt is a 2 year unconditional contract. More to come in tonight’s show. @bbcsport @espn @cnnsport

— Soccer Stoppage Time (@SocStoppageTime) October 15, 2018

Bullet dodged imo. It was interesting, but wouldn't be funny all season.

Twitter rumour is that it is Balzan in Malta, a team that has a relationship with CCM.

That was vaguely interesting while it lasted, now we can get on with actually watching professional football players do what they have spent their lives trying to do

This says Valletta FC http://www.espn.com.au/football/soccer-transfers/story/3669286/usain-bolt-offered-two-year-contract-with-champions-league-chasing-valletta-fc

When I read the article my first thought was that it would be the likes of Wales, Malta etc where league winners get a 'crack' at Europe in which they're seldom successful.

Given Bolt's skills and age he's probably better off somewhere else where he can actually make more of a difference and enjoy himself too. 

Came as a Bolt out of the blue??

I'd have so much more respect for this entire endeavour if he just signed somewhere, put his head down and got on with trying to become a professional football player without all the hoopla (but of course it's the hoopla that the clubs are interested in).  I find the whole thing a bit distasteful and I'm quite glad the circus is moving on

He might say no... I don't get the idea he will simply go anywhere. He wants to be taken seriously as a footballer. I honestly think if he misses out at ccm he will leave football behind him.

True, he might not sign in Malta, you will find out what his real agenda is. If he stays at CCM, he would gain credibility imho. trying to make a go of it. If he goes to Malta, the money ? And if he moves to another venture then it might have been just a publicity stunt for his ego.

Signing in Malta would just suggest that he's chasing a bit of fame, his star is fading as a sprinter and he needs to boost his exposure to help his sponsorship contracts. If he's serious about being a footballer then he should do it with CCM. Prove himself then go elsewhere. If its about the money and fame then he's not really a sportsman.

From the Interim Board - We will help make it happen for CCM

  But no Marquee funds will be given

Matt Simon will lead us into battle this season. Congrats, Matty! ??

From East Gosford Ram, to captain of the Mariners ? https://t.co/ozScYtzmNo#CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/n3TnnGmfgY

— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) October 16, 2018

Puts pressure on CCM now. Best maybe to let him go then be pressured into signing him.

Usain Bolt has reportedly told the Mariners he is rejecting the Maltese offer to stay with the Mariners.

— Ray Gatt (@Gatty54) October 17, 2018

Attempted bluff or if there's a ccm connection an attempt to make it seem a more legitimate signing?

CCM have a connection to a different Maltese club.It might have been an agent move to try and force them to rush into signing him or the FFA to fund it etc.

"Show me the money" or I really honestly wish to try a career in football? Almost reminds me of when Michael "Air" Jordon retired from Basketball and tried his luck at baseball.

Bolt now excluded from CCM training.

Hahhahahahahahahahaha

This whole thing was pretty ill conceived.  Bolt wanted $3M even though he was always going to need at least a season to get up to speed even if he was good, which he isn't, and because he was not good he was always going to end up mostly on the bench even if he could make a match day squad.  For all the additonal eyeballs, what was this ever actually going to produce given he is not and was never going to be good enough?

So they offered 150k to turn him into a professional footballer and he said no you should be paying me 3　mil 

Can't be that bothered about this "dream" of his. 

I think all of the A League parties have actually come out of this well.  CCM have offered him the going rate for a player of his ability (actually well above the going rate), the FFA have said we'll support you but we're not buying into this whole thing and the Mariners coaching staff have been up front about his ability.  

He now looks like the one who isn't willing to do what it takes to make it as a pro, and his management have been exposed for asking for cash when he plainly isn't worth it.

Exactly. 

It’s probably been mentioned by others, but if it was a real dream, he would have turned up to CCM, aerobically fit for football. He surely could have afforded a football specific PT to hammer him for few mths, pre arriving in Aus.

Plus why wait until 2018 at age 32, when his greatest asset speed will be on the wane. Why not start the process immediately post Rio 2016?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/ng-interactive/2...

We wish @usainbolt all the best in his future endeavours and thank him for being a part of the Mariners Family.

BREAKING NEWS: Usain Bolt Update ⚡️https://t.co/Lfi4ccmcMA#CCMFC #ALeague pic.twitter.com/Th1y8sjrvI

— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) November 2, 2018

I can hear Mulvey's sigh of relief all the way here!

guess that shows just how much of a dream it was for Bolt to actually play football - $3m what a douche!

He'd make a lot of money for the club if they played their cards right. It would be a win win IMO.

Ha ha, do Valletta FC still want him or was that a bluff from his agents?