The much loved Adebayo Akinfenwa joins eighth tier club Faversham Town aged 40 and has already made his debut for them at the weekend.
He had announced his retirement from playing at the end of the 2021/22 season after Wycombe’s hopes of promotion were crushed when they lost 2-0 in the League One playoff final defeat against Sunderland at Wembley Stadium.
‘The Beast’ however has come out of retirement to sign for the Lilywhites and help them battle against relegation.
Back in July, Akinfenwa turned out for Hashtag United, playing a 45-minute cameo before being replaced by ex-Love Island star Toby Aromolaran. See more on that HERE.
After that game, he suggested that his knee “doesn’t seem like it wants to work anymore” and that he was probably done with playing football.
However, just under a year later, as mentioned, he signed for Faversham with manager Sammy Moore saying he was able to convince the veteran striker to sign.
Akinfenwa started in Saturday’s game against Lancing, with his side 1-0 up before coming off at half time, but his opponents netted twice in the second half to win the game.
⚽ TOWN sign ‘ The beast’ @daRealAkinfenwa ⚽
Faversham Town F.C have landed a major coup, signing a hugely popular former professional striker.
For more on Akinfenwa signing: https://t.co/6AKP9xbKrT #yourtownyourclub #thebeast # pic.twitter.com/0yq21fuPNZ— Faversham Town F.C. (@FavershamTownFC) March 11, 2023
What a nice man, using his fame to give something back. Faversham may have lost yesterday but Adebayo Akinfenwa delayed his departure at Culver Road to sign all the kids programmes. A big thank you from the fans at Lancing FC@lancingfc@FWPIsthmnOneSE @FavershamTownFC pic.twitter.com/fE3KdYNwua
— Paul Smith (@pfbphotography) March 12, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT:
Faversham Town F.C have landed a major coup, signing a hugely popular former professional striker.
Adebayo Akinfenwa, 40, joins the Lilywhites to further help bolster their frontline in their battle against relegation as he comes out of retirement.
Known as “The Beast”, the big frontman enjoyed two seasons with Gillingham between 2010 and 2014, where he worked alongside Faversham coach Darren Hare.
He also counts Leyton Orient, Doncaster Rovers, Torquay United, Swansea City, Northampton and AFC Wimbledon (playing alongside the Gaffer) among his old sides before he initially retired last season at Wycombe.
Akinfenwa came off the bench for what then appeared the final match of his career, losing 2-0 at Wembley in the League One play-off final to Sunderland.
But now, Faversham manager Sammy Moore has convinced him to put his boots on once more.
He’s in today’s squad for their match at Lancing.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
This is what fans said as Adebayo Akinfenwa joins eighth tier club Faversham Town aged 40…
@Garysma27689841: Welcome to Faversham Town Bayo..
@markjsoave: He will enjoy playing at Punjab Utd next season as they sell some amazing Indian street food!
@Hammondtime1: Scefl player next year?
@aid_msa: Welcome to Faversham. 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
@linney_pete: Financial fair play doesn’t seem to be a thing in the lower leagues lol
@RhysLeader4: Welcome to the Lilywhites @daRealAkinfenwa beast mode is here! 🙌⚽️🦁
@Camacho9876543: Football is not easy when the teams struggling. Hope you can keep him. 🙂
@TheMarkPhillips: Go on mate, The Beast AKA Benjamin Button
@GlobalLeaderuk: Welcome to the 3 lions
@jimmygreen83: Whaaaaat!! I’m a @margate_fc fan but this is fucking awesome! Well done lads 👏 what a signing!
@Blikemike66: Done @hashtagutd dirty
@Albion_BHAFC_: the fuck?? 😭
@BackFromMyBan: WTFFFFF
@CarlSpeakman99: What a shite PR stunt
@OliWills4: Actually a madness
@35pints: Looks like I’ll be driving 10 mins down the road to watch The Beast in action!
@KFG2003: Never thought I would see Faversham sign Bayo!
@RobertL84425044: Wtf 😂😂😂🤦🏼♂️
@RussWWFC: Go for it Bayo, maybe due a revisit, Faversham a great place
@__Fr3nch__: Loooool what
@BuddhistMatt: Local club. Salters Lane will be buzzing
@Ryan_Macdonald_: How 🤣🤣
@theWycombeWay: Huh?
@JaredPrescott6: What the actual fuck
@OverTheHillUK: I can’t believe @daRealAkinfenwa has signed for Faversham! Always been a fan of his and got to cheer for him as a Gills player. In a couple of weeks I will cheering against him when Sittingbourne play Faversham
@JGsLongThrow: Wait……what?
@maxmorgannn9: Wish I still played for them, ‘I’ll hold it up he can run in behind
@JackHyslop: SCEFL next year though 🤷🏻♂️💰
@liambis94781474: That’s just unbelievable 🤣
@BigSnelds: Nah this is nuts 👏🏽😂
@TBowdery27: Is this real!?!!??!
@RobFoord1990: This is insane!!!!!!!
@croftysball: Welcome to the club @daRealAkinfenwa enjoy your time at the Lilywhites ⚪⚫
@smbrdfrd88: This is fucking incredible
@Pearcey___: Haha … faversham town was his level in the peak of his career to be fair
@JoeG2571: WHAT A SIGNING GET IN THERE TOWN! THE TOWN ARE STAYING UP⚪️⚫️
@ryanherrick1000: Bit early for April fools isn’t it?
@DarrenF88: What a signing this is! 😍 The beast is back! ⚫️⚪️
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