The tall striker took to Twitter last week to vent his frustrations regarding the Mariners’ plan to secure Bolt and he felt NPL players across Australia weren’t getting a fair go.

The Tweet read: “Usain Bolt trialling/signing in the A-League is the biggest spit in the face to all the talent in the NPL. Year after year players are overlooked in the NPL Australia wide, with more than enough talent to play in the A league. Becoming laughable.”

 

Boland is best-known for his screamer with former club Green Gully which knocked Central Coast out of the Round of 32 in the 2016 FFA Cup.

Avondale prevailed 4-1 over Marconi Stallions in the FFA Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday as Boland converted a penalty in the 72nd minute.

 “I was frustrated, I’m 26 now, so it wasn’t really concerning me,” Boland told FourFourTwo.

“It was just concerning me about young players coming through in Victoria, Western Australia… everywhere.

“There’s enough talent out there to go into the A-League and it’s not happening, so that’s just what I was concerned with. I’m always going to let my opinion be heard as my parents have taught me that.

“I just felt like someone needed to say it from the NPL and why not me?

“The Bolt thing is a bit gimmicky really. If it’s just a marketing plan from them, then fair enough, but it seems to be a bit more than that if it’s a six-week trial.

“People are saying to me ‘he was at Borussia Dortmund’, but that was just a Puma thing. I just don’t think we need it to be honest.”


Should the Bolt deal happen it is likely the Mariners would need the FFA’s marquee funds.

Former A-League man Joey Katebian is currently on Avondale’s roster and has netted seven goals in 15 NPL games this season and also scored against Marconi on Wednesday.

Katebian still has plans of becoming professional again after playing a total of five A-League games for Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar.

And Boland said Katebian was a classic example.

“There’s not much of an opportunity really is there? Joey’s been there and seen it all,” he said.

“They’re saying they’re bringing players in, but not really giving anyone a chance. I had a few replies from Central Coast fans saying they bring through the most NPL players.

“Yeah, you might do that, but it’s because they’re giving them a low wage. It’s not really because they want them to play.

“There are lot of players who have gone there over the years who just weren’t getting a gig.”