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."

August 19, 2008

MARK Bosnich, probably the most colourful figure in the history of Australian soccer, is set to light up the A-League after signing a seven-week contract with Central Coast Mariners.

Six years on from his freefall into drug abuse and depression, the 36-year-old could pull on the gloves as soon as this Saturday night in a titanic clash with derby rivals Sydney FC that could potentially pack out Bluetongue Stadium.

It was originally expected Bosnich would sign a five-week contract beginning after this weekend to coincide with regular goalkeeper Danny Vukovic's five-week ban for striking a referee.

But the contract has been extended to include both the Sydney FC match and the weekend after Vukovic's return - also at Bluetongue Stadium - against Wellington Phoenix on October 19.

With Vukovic still eligible, there is no guarantee Bosnich will take the field against Sydney but it would be an ideal time for the club to unveil their major coup in front of their home fans.

The Mariners will hold a press conference to officially announce the signing of Bosnich on Wednesday.

Vukovic has stated his support for the move, saying Bosnich will bring a lot to the club.

The 23-year-old has had a tough time dealing with his ban since the striking incident in the A-League grand final in February, admitting he was on the brink of depression as he struggled to overcome the reality of his Olympic dream being taken away.

Vukovic said Bosnich, who has been training with the Mariners for the last month, had been helping him overcome his issues and that the pair had become friends.

"He's always full of advice, not only with goalkeeping but in life in general," Vukovic said.

The A-League got off to a relatively dull start last weekend, with just five goals across four games and three draws.

The injection of a personality - and unquestionable talent - like Bosnich could be just the lift the competition needs.

The one time Manchester United and Aston Villa star saw his English Premier League career come to a dramatic halt in 2002 when he received a nine-month ban for cocaine use and was subsequently sacked by Chelsea.

He would never be far away from the public eye, as his turbulent relationship with English supermodel Sophie Anderton, weight and drug issues and sex tape controversies made him a popular target for the English tabloids.

The former Socceroo, capped 17 times between 1993 and 2000, started his career revival in early 2007 at Queens Park Rangers under the guidance of his former Chelsea teammate Ed de Goey.

Bosnich lost 15kg and regained his mobility and would eventually keep a clean sheet during a 2-0 friendly win against Barnet behind closed doors.

Late last month he impressed during a trial with the Mariners in the A-League pre-season cup, with a penalty stop one of a number of spectacular saves he made in a 3-0 win against Sydney FC.

He had been in talks with last season's grand finalists since.