WE Central Coast Mariners fans are ready for change — and what could be bigger than this?

Usain Bolt is coming to the A-League and while it might seem like a joke or a gimmick to many, it might just prove the masterstroke to turn around our ailing club’s fortunes.

Following this club has been a hell of a ride so far.

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Supporting the Mariners has been a hell of a ride for the club’s fans. Source: Getty Images

As a 10-year-old, I was ecstatic to learn Central Coast would have a team in the inaugural 2005/06 A-League season and the feeling on the school playground was mutual.

Australia was finally going to have a premier football competition and finding a club to barrack for was easy for all the locals. Gosford finally had its own team to compliment the beautiful stadium built in 1999 as an NRL ground for the club merger between Manly Sea Eagles and North Sydney Bears.

The Northern Eagles would only last two years as an NRL team and the stadium was left somewhat abandoned for three years before the groundbreaking announcement of the A-League’s inception.

The Mariners quickly launched what would become one of the most dominant football teams of the A-League’s first decade. The stats speak for themselves: A-League Champions (2012/13), Premiers x 2 (2007/08, 2011/12), Runners up x 3 (2005/06, 2007/08, 2010/2011).

The Mariners were one of the A-League’s most successful team in the first decade of the competition. Source: Getty Images

Ultimately, though. changes within the team — and behind the scenes — hurt the club.

Since Graham Arnold departed in 2013 the Mariners have struggled to find a long-term coach, They’re now trying to move forward with Mike Mulvey, a fourth coach in five years, at the helm.

It’s a concerning time for a club seemingly on the ropes.

Over the years Mariners home games were social occasions for school students and families alike. With the stadium located just minutes from my local high school, it was hard to miss a game.

But as seasons rolled over the games started losing core fans and the decline has continued in a worrying sign for the future of sport on the Central Coast.

From a personal point of view, Mariners games got harder to get excited for as times went on. The games lacked atmosphere. The team culture was once built on denying the critics and developing incredible young domestic talent like Mat Ryan, Mile Jedinak and co, but with the departure of Arnold — and later Lawrie McKinna as CEO — those qualities seemed to diminish.

The glory days. Pedj Bojic, Bernie Ibini, Mat Ryan and Anthony Caceres pose with the A-League trophy. Source: Getty Images

Other clubs are seemingly thriving, making high profile signings and retaining young talent, while the Mariners have spent the past couple of seasons just trying to survive.

There’s still plenty of talent in the team we see today but it often feels like an inevitable countdown until a star player moves to a rival team — and earns a man-of-the-match performance against the Mariners (like Roy O’Donovan and Matt Simon have done).

It’s disturbing to hear talk of players wanting to stay on the Central Coast but still getting sold off for financial reasons.

From a fan’s perspective, it’s heartbreaking, but an all-too-familiar feeling for Mariners fans. We’re hoping for a drastic turnaround in fortunes — and perhaps no change is more drastic than recruiting the fastest man in the world over 100 metre.

Could the grass finally be getting greener in Gosford?

Bolt’s arrival as he attempts to crossover from athletics to football could have a huge impact on a club rebuilding and potentially transform the club from regional underdog to national juggernaut.

Bolt arrives on Saturday for an indefinite trial period. Source: Getty Images

The strategy to recruit Bolt goes beyond Mulvey who’s adamant young Australian talent is still the main focus of the Mariners, and the A-League as a whole. But he sees it as a “fantastic” opportunity for the club, despite the mixed feelings of football critics.

Central Coast seems like a good fit for Bolt, with its club culture built around being underdogs and exceeding expectations. As a team, they effectively have nothing to lose entering the season as the reigning wooden spooners.

The Olympic gold medallist has only played in charity football matches. Source: AFP

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist has plenty to prove when it comes to being a footballer. But as one of the world’s greatest ever athletes, imagine the positive mental impact he could also have on the club and its players?

So will Bolt actually play? That decision lies in the new gaffer’s hands.

Bolt arrives in Sydney on Saturday and could start training with the team as early as next week. Eyes will be on the Central Coast Mariners more so than ever before.

Whether Bolt is on the bench, plays two minutes or 20 seconds, the world WILL watch.

It’s exciting times if you’re a Mariners fan. It’s going to be notoriety for a club that’s been struggling to find relevance over the past five years.

What about on the pitch — is anyone expecting Bolt to contribute to positive team results? Well no, I don’t think anyone is expecting Bolt to be the next Lionel Messi or even Bersart Berisha, although I wouldn’t rule out him doing spectacular things on his own.

It could even be the media circus around the man that boosts the Mariners’ performance — crowds could be bigger than ever and that will lift the playing group.

Even if Bolt’s time here in Australia is uncertain, and unlikely to be long, even a small stint with the club could be enough to engage a bored local audience for the upcoming season and beyond.

Call it a gimmick, a joke or whatever you like. As a Mariners fan I welcome Usain Bolt to the Central Coast and can’t wait to see what he’ll deliver the club.