Usain Bolt, Burnley and the story behind one of the strangest photos of the season

It was one of the more 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 was no ordinary guest: this was Usain Bolt, the eight-time Olympic gold medalist, holder of the world records in the men’s 100 and 200 meters, and one of the most famous athletes in the world.

The Jamaican has been active in football since retiring from athletics in 2017, but his visit to the struggling Premier League team was not to become their new number 9.

Instead, Bolt was present for Burnley’s under-21s’ 4-3 win over Stockport County, who fielded Che Gardner, the son of the sprinter’s close friend Ricardo, a former footballer who played more than 400 games for Bolton and eleven played in the Premier for years. Competition.

Bolt and Gardner met while the latter was on international duty with Jamaica. He played a total of 111 games for the country and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in their history. After leaving Bolton in 2012, he did not play another senior match until announcing his retirement in May 2014.

Gardner and Bolt’s friendship has grown over the years, including a shared love of music that has seen them collaborate on several projects.

“We met ages ago when we were two athletes from Jamaica. We both represented our country, so we got to know each other and we remained good friends,” said Gardner The Athletics. “He has become closer to the family as time goes on. In Jamaica, the way we work, Che would consider him his uncle. He’s not his real uncle, but it’s just out of respect.

Gardner’s son Che is a Stockport County first-team pupil and made a brief late cameo in Wednesday’s match.

When 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-15s match between Blackburn Rovers – where Che was on trial – and Burnley.

He posed for a photo with the Rovers players after the match, which was posted on the club’s official social media channels, and stayed at The Avenue Hotel in the Ribble Valley, where former Blackburn midfielder David Dunn is one of the owners.

“He has been a huge influence and inspiration to Che,” Gardner added. “He has always supported him. He will give him as much advice as possible and be a mentor when needed. Che follows many things he has told him and looks up to him. It’s great when you have people around you who have done it at an elite level.”

Bolt is a big supporter of Manchester United, but after ending his athletics career at the age of 30, he turned his attention to playing professional football.

There were trials with German side Borussia Dortmund and Australian A-League team Central Coast Mariners in 2018. He scored twice in a friendly for the Mariners but despite reports that a contract was offered he did not sign. A two-year contract with then Maltese champions Valletta was also rejected.

After admitting in early 2019 that he had given up all hope of a professional career, Bolt has become one of the headliners of the annual Soccer Aid charity match.

Usain Bolt is a regular at football charity 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 the right track and Gardner praised the work being done at all levels of the club, having seen it first-hand through his son.

“Che is enjoying his football, he is growing and developing into a good person,” Gardner said. “He’s on the right track, Stockport are doing a great job in player development and you see where Che was and where he is now.

“They work hard to get the best out of all parties and he is enjoying learning and the results are being seen as time goes on.”

Not wanting 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.

“It’s nice to have your brother,” he wrote. “I think I can settle for being the second fastest man to ever set foot on the Burnley training ground. Still time to rearrange that schedule for TST. Just sayin’…”

Watt was referring to Burnley’s participation in The Soccer Tournament (TST) held in America this summer. Watt is the captain of Burnley’s men’s team, while his wife, former USWNT striker and fellow minority owner Kealia, is the captain of the women’s team.

Whether Bolt will accept that invitation remains to be seen. Meanwhile, Burnley is simply happy with his star power.

(Top photo: Burnley FC)