The Olympic sprinting great could soon be sprinting down the wing in Wythenshawe after the eight-time gold medallist and record holder in the 100m and 200m events registered with a south Manchester veterans football team.
The 40-year-old Jamaican is among the high-profile names to have signed up for Wythenshawe Vets, according to the Football Association. The side, which competes in the Cheshire Veterans Football League Premier Division, was assembled and is overseen by former Manchester City and Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Ireland.
Joleon Lescott and Nedum Onuoha, both former City players, join the roster alongside former Manchester United champion Antonio Valencia, Leicester City Premier League winner Marc Albrighton, ex-England forward Emile Heskey and former Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse. The veteran lineup features numerous players who previously operated at the highest professional level.
Bolt does not appear on the club’s 2026/27 squad list published earlier this month, and no formal statement has been issued. However, the FA’s records show him as a registered player with the team on their official website. The club is affiliated to Wythenshawe FC.
A devoted Manchester United supporter, Bolt retired from track and field in 2017 before pursuing his ambition of playing professional football. He found the net twice during a trial match for Australian A-League side Central Coast Mariners in 2018, subsequently signing a professional deal with the Southern Hemisphere club before departing just eight weeks later and officially concluding his football career in early 2019.
Additional former professionals enlisted for the current season include Maynor Figueroa, Jefferson Montero, Kieran Westwood, Paul McShane, Adrian Mariappa, Oumar Niasse and Martyn Waghorn.
Wythenshawe FC owner Carl Barratt explained to the Manchester Evening News that financial support remains crucial for the club’s survival, with managers, players and volunteers all requiring assistance. He noted that the Vets team has unexpectedly helped improve the club’s visibility, making sponsorship discussions easier. While acknowledging the team’s marketing value, Barratt emphasised it remains just another squad within the club structure.
Ireland previously informed Sky Sports that gathering as retired players allows them to maintain their love of football and stay physically active while also addressing mental wellbeing, with teammates supporting one another through shared experiences.