Usain Bolt!

[Scotty]

If our costs for this are minimal, and it hasn't effected other recruitment, then I am all for it. It puts the beautiful Central Coast on the map and hopefully brings financial benefits to the club and other business.

Having said that, I don't want the club to focus all their attention into this at the expense of on the field improvements. I'm a little bit pissed off that they've done such a stellar job in acquiring Bolt, but haven't done anything in the past few seasons to improve our position on the ladder.

 

[BrisRecky]

Dollars to donuts says that a training session will be at the stadium with a moderate entry fee

 

[Big Al]

Dollars to donuts says that a training session will be at the stadium with a moderate entry fee

$5 to do a bolt pose with the great man in front of the palm trees, Brisbane water and the great sauce bottles

Maybe some t shirts. My wife/gf bolted in 9.58seconds down to Optus Stadium in her Pumas

 

[turbo]

Increased gate/memberships - the reason we forfeited a marquee last season according to Shaun

There will definitely be an increase in ticket sales both for home games and away (which is why it's fair the FFA chips in too). How that goes for home games over the season we'll see but I hope I can make it for the first time he plays for us, the place will be packed. To get a long term benefit out of it we need to put our best foot forward with a decent on field effort and off field atmosphere - that's what will get the casuals or curious to consider coming back again. IMO that will be the deciding factor of whether this is a circus or marketing genius

On the gate/membership and marquee thing I think the club needs to remember it's a two way street, people aren't going to sit through seasons of rubbish and rejoin or bring their mates so maybe you'll start investing. I know long term members that don't intend on renewing this season unless something significant changes, they've stuck with the club so far and are feeling taken for granted. Voting with their wallet is the only voice they have.

 

[FFC Mariner]

There will definitely be an increase in ticket sales both for home games and away (which is why it's fair the FFA chips in too). How that goes for home games over the season we'll see but I hope I can make it for the first time he plays for us, the place will be packed. To get a long term benefit out of it we need to put our best foot forward with a decent on field effort and off field atmosphere - that's what will get the casuals or curious to consider coming back again. IMO that will be the deciding factor of whether this is a circus or marketing genius

On the gate/membership and marquee thing I think the club needs to remember it's a two way street, people aren't going to sit through seasons of rubbish and rejoin or bring their mates so maybe you'll start investing. I know long term members that don't intend on renewing this season unless something significant changes, they've stuck with the club so far and are feeling taken for granted. Voting with their wallet is the only voice they have.

Why will we sell more tickets? He hasn't signed for us. He is merely a trialist
A friendly against CCM at Pluim with him starting? I'd pay to see CCU win

 

[turbo]

Unless he's horrible, like really really horrendously bad I believe he'll end up playing for us this season. Maybe not right at the start of the season if the club wants more time to work with him or to target how they use the guest game limit if they go that way. But if (or when) he does play, probably off the bench, attendance will definitely be up and there will be a lot of eyes on the club.

 

[Big Al]

Unless he's horrible, like really really horrendously bad I believe he'll end up playing for us this season. Maybe not right at the start of the season if the club wants more time to work with him or to target how they use the guest game limit if they go that way. But if (or when) he does play, probably off the bench, attendance will definitely be up and there will be a lot of eyes on the club.

Yeah we will be dead last after January so just cash in on him then when have nothing to loose

 

[Scotty]

Press conference about to commence on ABC 24 TV news channel.

 

[Big Al]

State road construction sponsor on sign. Haven’t seen that before

 

[bikinigirl]

Unless he's horrible, like really really horrendously bad I believe he'll end up playing for us this season. Maybe not right at the start of the season if the club wants more time to work with him or to target how they use the guest game limit if they go that way. But if (or when) he does play, probably off the bench, attendance will definitely be up and there will be a lot of eyes on the club.

. from this link on the a-league website: https://www.a-league.com.au/salary-cap-system

"Guest Player – A Club can spend an unlimited amount on one Guest Player who must satisfy the prescribed marketability criteria as approved by FFA. A Guest Player is restricted to a maximum of 14 Hyundai A-League matches"

. surely Bolt would meet any marketability criteria (except perhaps the FFA's)

. so with 13 home games we could be the only Club to benefit from increased ticket sales

. and also this from the above link:

"Guest Players, Designated Players and Mature Age Rookie Players sit outside the Club’s Hyundai A-League Player Roster."

. so I assume he does not even take up a visa spot in a guest role ... unless the FFA interpret their own rules differently

 

[Scotty]

Shaun confirmed that Bolt will be living in the Central Coast. He may also feature in pre-season matches.

 

[Big Al]

Press conference about to commence on ABC 24 TV news channel.

Shaun was pretty good and looked sharp with a haircut and beard trim.

Couldn’t hear questions as poor audio for that but Shaun was good.

Points
Inundated with sponsors calling this morning
Is not a contracted player so no number no bolt shirts etc
Preseason games if he is fit enough
First test is to prove fitness to medical team for football however long that takes but got the feeling they want a preseason game
Good for the coast and it’s about the future of the club
Aware detractors think it’s a gimmick but we are small club and need to do it to make our club grow
Will live on coast

 

[turbo]

so with 13 home games we could be the only Club to benefit from increased ticket sales

so I assume he does not even take up a visa spot in a guest role

It really depends how the club goes about it. Do we intend on finding two other marquee players and using all our visa slots? If not it doesn't really matter. If we do then he may have that 14 game limit but if he doesn't start the season from our first home game there will be some away trips anyway. We're also assuming no injuries disrupting his selection. Even without away trips more eyes on the league has the potential to improve general awareness and possibility of investment. It's good for opposition players too, have a great game with the world watching and maybe some offers come in.

As our team sheet looks at the moment I'd expect he'd sign as a marquee/designated player rather than a guest but that could depend on further recruitment.

 

[Big Al]

Live stream: Bolt could be given ‘six months or more’ to prove himself
https://www.foxsports.com.au/footba...e/news-story/97a66987504d315b7ad2a81a364fc883

Blog at the bottom has link to all quotes

 

[scottmac]

Forget guest role Hes a f**king mature aged rookie.

 

[bikinigirl]

Forget guest role Hes a f**king mature aged rookie.

. yeah but there will never be any FFA marketing budget for a mature aged rookies

 

[style_cafe]

Ok, here`s the good oil for Mulvey.
Play 5 across the back.
Bolt...McGing... Cisse...Golec... Clisby
3 Mids
Hoole...........Hiariej..........McGlinchy/Pain
2 up Front
Simon.......Gamiero

The instruction to Bolt is to either hoof it to Simon (when under pressure) or to play into the midfield (no pressure)
McGing then plays 2nd defender to Bolt.
Now rarely would one think an opponent is going to try to outrun Bolt.
Moreso they would try to take him on & get him to turn. (see name in headlines)
This is where McGing becomes effective.
On corners/ freekicks in the front third,move Bolt up but stand him a little bit wider to draw opponents out.
What defender wouldn`t want a pic (from mum in the stands),defending against Bolt.

Lets not get trapped into thinking Bolt is a centre forward!!!
Worlds best athlete could be worlds best decoy......

 

[Insertnamehere]

. from this link on the a-league website: https://www.a-league.com.au/salary-cap-system

"Guest Player – A Club can spend an unlimited amount on one Guest Player who must satisfy the prescribed marketability criteria as approved by FFA. A Guest Player is restricted to a maximum of 14 Hyundai A-League matches"

. surely Bolt would meet any marketability criteria (except perhaps the FFA's)

. so with 13 home games we could be the only Club to benefit from increased ticket sales

. and also this from the above link:

"Guest Players, Designated Players and Mature Age Rookie Players sit outside the Club’s Hyundai A-League Player Roster."

. so I assume he does not even take up a visa spot in a guest role ... unless the FFA interpret their own rules differently

You are joking about the marketability part right? Biggest name in world sport only a few years ago, has created an absolute rabid media circus since a whiff of his trial came up and has been trialled with the associated media circus at some of the biggest clubs in the world.
You could sell farts bottled with bolts name on them his presence is that marketable

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Increased gate & membership for what? Are we going to be able to buy a training membership?

Seriously while Bolt is keen to get a contract he is also aware of his commercial value. He won’t be getting exploited without being paid first. The figures for his wages are Honda numbers (rumoured of course) for a bloke who has never played.

Any commercial advantages are so expected breaking even would be a good result.

I’m sorry FP but I’m on the it’s an expensive circus team. Media views don’t pay the bills

If he was playing for our E League team then I could understand

The real money is not there unless we sign him and nor is the expentiure.

But if we do, there quite frankly hasn’t ever been a player with as much commercial potential in the league as Bolt. It’s a truly unique occurrence. The celebrity level of Ronaldo or higher but at a price the little Central Coast Mariners can actually afford. Really because his celebrity pays for itself.

The points I made Re dollars is not make believe. Shaun’s going to need to take on another person and probably a PR firm just to handle and make the most of the opportunity.

I’m in a related industry. And almost everything turns on celebrity now.

If they sign Bolt but can’t effectively monetise him then we might as well pack up shop.

Imo, people are not seeing the forest for the trees if framing this all in the context of the football solution we all want and need. Be incredible if he pulled of the no limits fairytale with us.. But the reason victory, Sydney, City etc have consistently better rosters and are better than us, is 100% financial. And Bolt, should be viewed as commercially a very innovative and clever step to help try and overcome some of our financial and geographical disadvantage.

Here’s a thought that should warm half this forums toes at night. Bolts exposure is far more likely to see us attract another richer buyer than if we signed a 34 year old Dutch forward that we could hope has a great year with us.

 

[Forum Phoenix]

Dollars to donuts says that a training session will be at the stadium with a moderate entry fee

Will make an event out if it for sure. And it will be legit. Press and buzz will absolutely be there.