July 18, 2008

SIX long and agonising years have passed since Mark Bosnich disgraced himself and the world game by testing positive to cocaine.

On Thursday, the former superstar embarked on what he termed "the beginning of a new beginning" - training with the Central Coast squad at Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium.

The former English Premier League hero views the next two weeks as his second chance at a football career.

The Mariners lowered the 'Bosnich lifeboat' on to Brisbane Water with the task ahead to prove to himself, the Mariners coaching staff and management that he is capable of clambering aboard - with the prize a contract in the Hyundai A-League and that new beginning.

"I have no targets and no expectations whatsoever other than the fact that basically every day for me I'm going to look forward to it," Bosnich said.

"I've got that hunger back ... every day I want to perform the best I can ... and I think here at the Central Coast Mariners is the right environment to do that.

"I think I'm right to play but I'm on trial and it's only right considering what has gone on in the past five years, and I'm happy to accept that situation.

"It doesn't really matter what's happened in the past, and that includes both ways. I think it's important what happens in the future."

Bosnich was handed a nine-month ban and subsequently dumped by Chelsea in September 2002 after testing positive to the illicit drug.

The Sydney-born shot-stopper went into a five-year exile from the game and beat his drug addiction.

His football desire was rekindled with a stint at Queens Park Rangers last year, but one reserve team appearance wasn't enough to secure a contract.

"Sometimes you don't miss something until it's gone or it's taken away from you," Bosnich said of his desire to play once more.

"I have very much missed being part of football. I was fortunate enough to have seven months at Queens Park Rangers which got me back into the swing of things."

By his own admission Bosnich needs to lose at least 2kg, but showed glimpses of his past fame in a solid 90-minute workout with the Mariners.

"I employed a fitness trainer for the past three weeks (in London). He's got nothing to do with football, he's actually a boxing trainer," Bosnich explained.

"What I need to improve on is my co-ordination with the ball, hand-eye co-ordination and getting a feel for general positional play."

John Crawley, the Mariners goalkeeping coach, played against Bosnich in their teenage years but will be his master for the next fortnight.

Crawley was the Blacktown keeper while Bosnich stood tall between the posts for Marconi. The two confronted each other in an under-14s grand final.

Bosnich's side lost on penalties - he remembers all too well. Now, the two will work feverishly to have the 36-year-old ready to again stand tall between the posts.

The target date for Bosnich to don the Mariners playing strip is July 27 against Sydney FC at Bluetongue Stadium in the second round of the Pre-Season Cup.

Then, and only then, will his future in the game become clearer.

"When he was at Aston Villa and when he signed early on with Manchester United he was arguably the best in the world," Mariners' walking football encyclopaedia Brad Porter said.

"Since then he hasn't done a great deal but as they say, form is temporary, class is permanent."