It was one of many extra surprising social media posts of the Premier League season.
It got here from Burnley and confirmed a customer to the membership’s coaching floor smiling in entrance of a slogan studying: “It’s a lifestyle.”
This, nonetheless, was no atypical visitor: this was Usain Bolt, the eight-time Olympic gold medal winner, the holder of world information within the males’s 100m and 200m, and one of the vital well-known sportsmen on the planet.
The Jamaican has dabbled within the footballing world since retiring from athletics in 2017, however his go to to the struggling Premier League aspect was to not focus on changing into their new No 9.
As a substitute, Bolt was attending Burnley under-21s’ 4-3 victory over Stockport County, who have been fielding Che Gardner, the son of the sprinter’s shut buddy Ricardo, a former footballer who revamped 400 appearances for Bolton and spent 11 years within the Premier League.
Bolt and Gardner met whereas the latter was on worldwide obligation with Jamaica — he made 111 appearances for the nation in whole and is extensively considered one of many best gamers of their historical past. After leaving Bolton in 2012, he didn’t play one other senior recreation till saying his retirement in Could 2014.
Ricardo Gardner was a Jamaican worldwide (Jamie Sabau/Getty Photos)
Gardner and Bolt’s friendship has grown through the years, together with a shared love of music, which has seen them work collectively on varied initiatives.
“We met ages in the past simply from being two sportsmen from Jamaica. We each represented our nation so bought to know one another and we’ve remained good mates,” Gardner tells The Athletic. “He’s turn into nearer to the household as time has gone on. In Jamaica, the way in which we function, Che would take into account him his uncle. He’s not his precise uncle, however it’s simply out of respect.”
Gardner’s son Che is a first-team scholar for Stockport County and made a short late cameo within the recreation on Wednesday.
Each time Bolt has commitments in Europe, he’ll attempt to go to the Gardner household and if potential see Che in motion. In March 2023, Bolt attended an under-15 recreation between Blackburn Rovers — the place Che was on trial — and Burnley.
He posed for an image with Rovers’ gamers after the sport, which was posted on the membership’s official social media channels, and stayed in The Avenue Resort within the Ribble Valley, which incorporates former Blackburn midfielder David Dunn as one among its homeowners.
“He has been an enormous affect and inspiration for Che,” Gardner added. “He’s at all times been supportive of him. He’ll give him recommendation as a lot as potential, being a mentor at any time when wanted. Che follows many issues he has informed him and appears as much as him. It’s nice when you’ve gotten individuals round you who’ve finished it on the elite degree.”
Bolt is a big Manchester United supporter, however after calling time on his athletics profession on the age of 30, he turned his consideration to taking part in skilled soccer.
There have been trials at German aspect Borussia Dortmund and Australian A-League aspect Central Coast Mariners in 2018. He scored twice in a pleasant for the Mariners, however regardless of stories of a contract being provided, he didn’t signal. A two-year take care of then Maltese champions Valletta was additionally turned down.
After admitting in early 2019 that he had given up any hope of knowledgeable profession, Bolt has turn into one of many headline stars of the annual Soccer Help charity match.
Usain Bolt is a daily in soccer charity matches (Chris Arjoon/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
Stockport celebrated promotion to League One after being topped League Two champions earlier this month. The membership is on an upwards trajectory and Gardner praised the work that is occurring in any respect ranges of the membership having seen it first-hand by way of his son.
“Che’s having fun with his soccer, he’s rising and growing into human being,” says Gardner. “He’s on the correct path, Stockport are doing an excellent job when it comes to participant growth and also you see the place Che was to the place he’s now.
“They’re working onerous to attempt to get the perfect out of all events and he’s having fun with studying and the outcomes are being seen as time has gone on.”
Eager to not miss out on the chance of recruiting Bolt, Burnley minority proprietor and NFL legend JJ Watt shared Burnley’s picture of Bolt together with his personal message.
“Pleasure having you brother,” he wrote. “I suppose I can accept second quickest man to ever step foot on Burnley’s coaching floor. Nonetheless time to rearrange that schedule for TST. Simply sayin’…”
Watt was referencing Burnley’s participation in The Soccer Event (TST) held in America this summer season. Watt is captaining Burnley’s males’s group, whereas his spouse, former USWNT ahead and fellow minority proprietor Kealia, is captaining the ladies’s group.
Whether or not Bolt takes up that invitation is but to be seen. Within the meantime, Burnley are merely pleased for his star energy.
(High picture: Burnley FC)