It was one in every of the more unexpected social media posts of the Premier League season.
It got here from Burnley and showed a smiling visitor to the club's training ground in front of a slogan that read: “It's a way of life.”
However, this was no odd guest: it was Usain Bolt, the eight-time Olympic gold medalist, world record holder in the lads's 100m and 200m and one of the vital famous athletes on this planet.
The Jamaican has dabbled on this planet of football since retiring from athletics in 2017, but his visit to the struggling Premier League side was not about discussing whether he can be the brand new No.9.
Instead, Bolt was present for Burnley's under-21 team's 4-3 victory over Stockport County, which fielded Che Gardner, the son of the sprinter's close friend Ricardo, a former footballer who revamped 400 appearances for Bolton and spent 11 years within the Premier League spent league.
Bolt and Gardner met while the latter was on international duty with Jamaica – he made a complete of 111 appearances for the country and is widely considered one in every of the best players of their history. After leaving Bolton in 2012, he didn’t play one other senior game until announcing his retirement in May 2014.
Ricardo Gardner was a Jamaican international (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Gardner and Bolt's friendship has grown through the years, including their shared love of music, which has led to them collaborating on various projects.
“We met a long time ago when we were two athletes from Jamaica. We both represented our country, so we got to know each other and remained good friends,” says Gardner. “Over time he became closer to the family. In Jamaica, as we do, Che would consider him his uncle. He’s not his actual uncle, but it’s just out of respect.”
Gardner's son Che is a first-team player for Stockport County and made a temporary late cameo in Wednesday's game.
Whenever Bolt has commitments in Europe, he’ll attempt to visit the Gardner family and see Che in motion if possible. In March 2023, Bolt attended an under-15 game between Blackburn Rovers – where Che was on trial – and Burnley.
He posed for a photograph with the Rovers players after the sport, which was posted on the club's official social media channels, and stayed at The Avenue Hotel in Ribble Valley, whose owners include former Blackburn midfielder David Dunn .
“He was a huge influence and inspiration for Che,” Gardner added. “He always supported him. He will give him as much advice as possible and act as a mentor if necessary. Che follows many of the things he has told him and looks up to him. It’s great when you have people around you who have made it to the elite level.”
Bolt is a big Manchester United fan, but after retiring from his athletics profession on the age of 30, he turned to skilled football.
In 2018 there have been trials with German club Borussia Dortmund and Australian A-League club Central Coast Mariners. He scored two goals in a friendly for the Mariners but didn’t sign despite reports of a contract offer. A two-year contract with the then Maltese champions Valletta was also rejected.
After admitting he had given up all hope of an expert profession in early 2019, Bolt became one in every of the fundamental stars of the annual Soccer Aid charity game.
Usain Bolt repeatedly takes part in charity football matches (Chris Arjoon/AFP via Getty Images)
Stockport celebrated promotion to League One after being crowned League Two champions earlier this month. The club is on an upward trajectory and Gardner praised the work being done in any respect levels of the club after seeing it first hand through his son.
“Che is enjoying his football, he is growing and developing into a good person,” says Gardner. “He is on the right track, Stockport are doing a great job in terms of player development and you can see where Che has been and where he is now.
“They work hard to get the best out of everyone involved and he enjoys learning and the results are visible over time.”
Not wanting to miss the chance to recruit Bolt, Burnley minority owner and NFL legend JJ Watt shared Burnley's picture of Bolt together with his own message.
“Glad to have you bro,” he wrote. “I believe I can accept the second fastest man to ever set foot on the Burnley training ground. There continues to be time to vary the schedule for TST. I'm just saying…”
Watt was referring to Burnley's participation in the Soccer Tournament (TST) held in America this summer. Watt is captain of Burnley's men's team, while his wife, former USWNT striker and minority owner Kealia, is captain of the women's team.
Whether Bolt accepts this invitation remains to be seen. In the meantime, Burnley are simply enjoying their star power.
image credit : theathletic.com