It was one of the most unexpected social media posts of the Premier League season.
It came from Burnley and showed a visitor to the club’s training ground smiling in front of a slogan that read: “It’s a way of life.”
However, this wasn’t just any guest: this was Usain Bolt, eight-time Olympic gold medal winner, world record holder in the men’s 100 and 200 meters, and one of the most famous athletes on the planet.
The Jamaican has ventured into the world of football since retiring from athletics in 2017, but his visit to the struggling Premier League team was not to discuss becoming their new number 9.
Instead, Bolt was watching Burnley U21’s 4-3 victory over Stockport County, which featured Che Gardner, the son of the sprinter’s close friend Ricardo, a former footballer who played more than 400 games for Bolton and passed 11 years in the Premier. League.
Bolt and Gardner met while the latter was on international duty with Jamaica: he made 111 appearances for the country in total and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in its history. After leaving Bolton in 2012, he did not play another senior match until he announced his retirement in May 2014.
Ricardo Gardner was a Jamaican international (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Gardner and Bolt’s friendship has grown over the years, including a shared love of music, which has seen them work together on several projects.
“We met a long time ago simply because we were two athletes from Jamaica. We both represent our country, so we met and remain good friends,” says Gardner. The Athletic. “He has become closer to the family as time goes by. In Jamaica, the way we operate, Che would consider you his uncle. He is not his real uncle, but he is simply out of respect.”
Gardner’s son Che is a Stockport County first team pupil and made a brief cameo at the end of Wednesday’s match.
Whenever Bolt has commitments in Europe he will try to visit the Gardner family and if possible see Che in action. In March 2023, Bolt attended an under-15 match between Blackburn Rovers, where Che was on trial, and Burnley.
He posed for a photo with Rovers players after the match, which was posted on the club’s official social media channels, and stayed at The Avenue Hotel in Ribble Valley, which lists former Blackburn midfielder David Dunn as one of their owners.
“He has been a great influence and inspiration for Che,” Gardner added. “He has always supported him. He will give her as much advice as possible, mentoring him whenever necessary. Che follows many things that he has told him and admires him. “It’s great when you have people around you who have done it at an elite level.”
Bolt is a big Manchester United fan, but after ending his athletics career at the age of 30, he turned his attention to playing professional football.
There were trials at German side Borussia Dortmund and Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners in 2018. He scored two goals in a friendly for the Mariners, but despite reports that he was offered a contract, he did not sign. He also turned down a two-year contract with the then Maltese champions, Valletta.
After admitting in early 2019 that he had lost any hope of a professional career, Bolt has become one of the headline stars of the annual Soccer Aid charity match.
Usain Bolt is a regular at 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 at all levels of the club having seen it first-hand through his son.
“Che enjoys football, he is growing and developing into a good human being,” says Gardner. “He is on the right path, Stockport are doing a great job in terms of player development and you can see where Che was and where he is now.
“They are working hard to try to get the best out of all the parties and he enjoys learning and the results are seen as time goes by.”
Eager not to miss the opportunity to recruit Bolt, Burnley minority owner and NFL legend JJ Watt shared Burnley’s image of Bolt with his own message.
“A pleasure to have you brother,” he wrote. “I suppose I can settle for being the second fastest man to ever set foot on Burnley’s training ground. There is still time to rearrange that schedule for TST. Just say’…”
Watt was referring to Burnley’s participation in the Soccer Tournament (TST) held in the United States this summer. Watt captains Burnley’s men’s team, while his wife, former USWNT forward and minority owner Kealia, captains the women’s team.
Whether Bolt accepts that invitation remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Burnley are simply happy about his star power.
(Top photo: Burnley FC)
