Adebayo Akinfenwa believes that ‘timing’ played a big part in his longevity at Wycombe Wanderers.
During his 22-year career, the striker spent six of those years at Adams Park, which was the longest he had ever stayed at one team.
After being released by Watford in 2001, the forward represented seven clubs in three years.
READ MORE: Adebayo Akinfenwa reflects on his three cherished memories whilst at Wycombe Wanderers
9 appearances for Millwall
— BetVictor (@BetVictor) May 21, 2022
38 appearances for Torquay United
75 appearances for Swansea City
83 appearances for Gillingham
94 appearances for Wimbledon
188 appearances for Northampton Town
249 appearances for Wycombe Wanderers
EFL legend Adebayo Akinfenwa retires from football. pic.twitter.com/a73rV4uZGW
This included playing for five separate teams during the 2003/04 season in Barry Town, Boston United, Leyton Orient, Rushden & Diamonds, and Doncaster Rovers respectively.
A REMINDER:
— Football Remind (@FootballRemind) August 26, 2017
Adebayo Akinfenwa scored on his Swansea debut in 2005, the goal was the first competitive goal at the Liberty Stadium ⚽️💪🏿 pic.twitter.com/Lxr7Daoa58
Successful stints at Swansea City, two separate spells at Northampton Town and Gillingham followed, along with a brief stay at Millwall.
Adebayo Akinfenwa at Millwall
— Forgotten Football Signings (@FFSignings) January 26, 2021
2007/08 season
Nine games, zero goals pic.twitter.com/Chget2FdHO
But after his release from AFC Wimbledon in 2016, he would call High Wycombe his home as he would spend the next six years at the Adams Park club.
He said: “I believe timing in life is everything and I came to this wonderful club and the screening [for the Beast Mode On' premiere] was in Wycombe because this is a place that is close to my heart.
“Teaming up with Gareth Ainsworth, Matt Bloomfield, Joe Jacobson, David Stockdale, Darius Charles, Dominic Gape, Anthony Stewart, Nick Freeman…I can go through everybody!
“They were the people that were there more or less for the six years I was there.
At Wycombe, we were very good at suppressing our weaknesses.
“I wasn’t the best presser, I wasn’t the quickest, and I just remember the boys telling me that they would do my running for me, and you concentrate on what you’re good at.
“When you have got players like that, I mean, Blooms did my running and he gave me an extra year!
“I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason and the gaffer and I were meant to know each other, to work with each other, and to stay in contact with one another.
“The last six years, I was able to do things my way with the help of Wycombe and it was so enjoyable.”
🗣 "They faced a legend of English football, absolute legend”
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 22, 2021
Pep Guardiola has nothing but praise for Adebayo Akinfenwa after Man City beat Wycombe in last night’s Carabao Cup tie 🙌 pic.twitter.com/uW5qQU9Hqk
Akinfenwa also wanted to thank the fans who chanted his name during his Wanderers tenue.
The much-loved striker was a popular hit with supporters as he posed for pictures, signed autographs regularly spoke with fans before and after matches.
READ MORE: Frank Adams Stand to be shut during Wycombe's FA Cup match against Walsall
He said: “I will look back at my career with enjoyment.
“I might not have made the promised land of the Premier League but I did things my way.
“I don’t think I can put into words how much they mean to me and I want them to know that they’re extended family.
Congratulations to Adebayo Akinfenwa on reaching 2️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ appearances in a Wycombe shirt after coming on as substitute at Wembley v Sunderland in his final game for the #chairboys
— Chairboys on the Net - Paul Lewis (@GasmanCOTN) May 21, 2022
The Beast 💪 pic.twitter.com/FbkOMrM0aq
“Even the ones that booed me and said that I was past it because we were in it together.
“In every family and real families, you need to have a fallout as that is what love is all about.
“We had six years together, some momentous moments and those memories will stay with me.
“Thank you, sincerely, thank you.”
His Amazon Prime documentary was released to the public today [October 28].
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