Usain Bolt Set for Veterans Football in Greater Manchester
Usain Bolt, the fastest man in history, is poised for a return to the pitch – this time in the unlikeliest of settings: veterans’ football in Greater Manchester.
The eight-time Olympic champion, still the world-record holder over 100m and 200m, has appeared on the official squad list for Wythenshawe FC Veterans on the Football Association’s Full-Time website, hinting at a remarkable cameo in the Cheshire Veterans League.
This is no ordinary Sunday league side. Wythenshawe’s dressing room reads like a who’s who of recent Premier League history. The team is managed by former Manchester City and Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Ireland and has already attracted a stream of ex-top-flight names.
- Danny Drinkwater
- Antonio Valencia
- Joleon Lescott
- Emile Heskey
- Marc Albrighton
- Nedum Onuoha
- Papiss Cissé
are among those to have pulled on the shirt. Between them, last season’s squad boasted more than 1,800 English top-flight appearances – an extraordinary haul for a veterans’ outfit.
Now, at 40, Bolt could be the latest marquee name to join in.
The Jamaican sprint icon has never hidden his love for football. After calling time on his athletics career following the 2017 World Championships, he chased a professional dream with Australian side Central Coast Mariners, enjoying a brief spell that drew global attention but ultimately fell short of a full-time contract.
A committed Manchester United supporter, Bolt has regularly showcased his enthusiasm and surprising touch in the Soccer Aid charity matches over the past decade, where his performances have often been a major draw.
For the moment, though, Wythenshawe have not formally announced his arrival. The club has been contacted for comment, and until they speak, the sight of Bolt’s name on an FA-registered squad list will keep the veterans’ league – and plenty beyond it – watching closely to see if the greatest sprinter of all time really does turn up on a Sunday in Greater Manchester.
