A dubious 9,958 was given as the official crowd total in Gosford, conveniently echoing the star's world record 9.58 seconds 100m sprint a decade ago.

And they got to see Bolt for 20 minutes at the end of the match when he finally got a chance to come on, wearing the number 95 on his shirt.

He's only been with the club for less than fortnight and still struggling for fitness. He was bathed in sweat after just a few minutes.

Ironically his best chance came with a tempting ball that skipped across the goalmouth - but Bolt was just not quick enough to get there in time to tap it home.

Bolt came on with the score already 6-0 against a local select side, including a hat-trick for Jack Clisby, and it ended 6-1 after a fierce free kick from Tim Knight proved too good for Mariners keeper Andrew Pearce.

After the game Bolt, 32, admitted he was struggling with the fitness and his skill was still off the pace of his team-mates.

But he added confidently: "In four months I'll be good enough. I'll have the fitness up to scratch after two months."

Coach Mike Mulvey said afterwards: "He didn't disgrace himself. He did himself proud.

"He showed he's got some skills out there. He did okay. Tonight was not about him, it was about the rest of the lads putting their hands up about the future.

"The good news is we've got seven weeks to go until the season starts and we've got some work to do. My main focus is making sure the team is ready to go at the start of the season.

"He doesn't't lack self-confidence but he's not arrogant, He's a good guy to have around the club.

"This has gone out to 40 countries around the world. It's globalised the competition."

Fox Sports analyst and former Socceroo Mark Bosnich admitted: "He's got a long way to go. He's four to five months away and that's a very long time in football."

And ex-Melbourne Victory legend Archie Thompson added: "He's long way off, but if he works on the basic things he can improve and then maybe he can get the opportunity."