More than 1,000 people visited the Wycombe Swan Theatre on October 26 as football fans far and wide watched the much-anticipated screening of Adebayo Akinfenwa’s Amazon documentary, ‘Beast Mode On’.
Supporters of Wycombe Wanderers along with some of his other former teams such as Northampton Town and AFC Wimbledon respectively, attended the St Mary’s Street location as they enjoyed the 90-minute film that showcased the highs and lows of his life.
Gearing up for this evening's premiere of @daRealAkinfenwa's #BeastModeOn at the @wycombeswan. A brilliant chat with Bayo followed and how did he describe the Wycombe fans that chanted his name for six years? He said: "For me, they're extended family'. #Chairboys pic.twitter.com/tXrTVCvp64
— James Richings (@James_BFP) October 26, 2022
From his experiences of being racially abused during his time in Lithuania, to breaking his leg at Swansea City before being released, to the highs of promotion with Wimbledon and Wycombe, the documentary allowed the crowd to see more about ‘the Beast’ away from the pitch.
BEAST MODE ON!#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/BIwnKbgeri
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) October 26, 2022
READ MORE: Frank Adams Stand to be shut during Wycombe's FA Cup match against Walsall
Across two screenings at the Swan, the much-loved striker, along with his brothers in Yemi and Dele, signed autographs, posed for photographs, and expressed their gratitude for those who visited the theatre.
Speaking to the Free Press, Akinfenwa, who achieved two promotions with the club, said: “When you watch the documentary, I want people to know that it’s OK to be unapologetically yourself, along with learning a couple of new things about me.
That’s a hard pic 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/0Z9qgv0Pb8
— daRealAAkinfenwa (@daRealAkinfenwa) October 27, 2022
“I didn’t plan to be a rulebreaker, I certainly didn’t plan to play football professionally until I was 40 but I was meant to take this path.
“Shooting the documentary...it was nice.
Looking sharp!#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/WsNfBjqLsC
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) October 26, 2022
"At some moments it was very therapeutic to look back and as an individual during my playing career, I was always asked about how many games I’ve played and how many goals I’ve scored.
“I took stock of all of that so that when I did retire and made the documentary, I really wanted to go back to the beginning and put the mind of 21-year-old me into the 40-year-old me.
And that’s a wrap.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) October 26, 2022
Beast Mode On, forever.#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/TQ8iGG88wW
“We all have trials and tribulations in life and when you’re young it’s the be-all and end-all, but when you look back…it really isn’t.
“And when you’re older, you look back and those difficult times and realise why you had them.
“That’s what I really hope people take away from the documentary as everyone needs to trust the process and be an individual.
“I didn’t prove anyone wrong, I proved myself right.”
Pleasure to be part of it. Great documentary 👏
— Spencer (@SpencerOwen) October 26, 2022
Shot over the course of the 2021/22 season, the documentary sees the Akinfenwa brothers back in their home district of Islington, North London telling stories about their childhood, before Adebayo speaks about his career.
Throughout the film, the former Chairboys forward flew to the USA, Nigeria, and certain parts of the UK as he spoke candidly about his life, his future plans, and of course, Wycombe Wanderers.
READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth on Wycombe's 'poor showing' as Wanderers lose at home to Cambridge
During the evening premiere on October 26, keen interest was shown when a clip of the striker, former club captain Matt Bloomfield and manager Gareth Ainsworth spoke after the club’s 1-0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday on April 23.
The game was Akinfenwa’s final league match at Adams Park, with the three talking about their successes in the home dressing room.
The Beast meets the #Chairgirls! pic.twitter.com/yLVKtvDF1c
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) October 26, 2022
During the clip in which he was praised by his former colleagues, the forward was visibly moved.
He continued: “The hardest thing I found doing the documentary was, and that’s why I think I won’t do it again, is because you want to give every moment in your life the time it deserves, and you can’t do that in 90 minutes.
“I briefed over a lot of things that needed a lot more time.
Humbled, grateful honoured. Thank you 2everyone that came out today 💙 https://t.co/DanPGuRQgK
— daRealAAkinfenwa (@daRealAkinfenwa) October 27, 2022
“That was so frustrating because these are big moments, but in the documentary, it just feels like a moment.
“I played the game for 22 years and I think, in truth, that’s 22 years of documentaries as so much has happened!”
Thank you for having us, @wycombeswan!#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/Y2m9ceF4FB
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) October 26, 2022
The documentary concluded with a Q and A with YouTuber and content creator Spencer Owen live on stage with the Akinfenwa brothers, before a VIP event with guests took part in the evening.
Guests at the premiere included the current Wycombe Wanderers team, management, and backroom staff, along with employees of the club.
Ebere Eze returns to Wycombe!
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) October 27, 2022
For one night only.#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/ZT38EW5IWH
Former players such as Craig Mackial-Smith, Yves Ma-Kalambay, Eberechi Eze, Darius Charles, and Matt Bloomfield were also in attendance.
The film will be available to watch on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, October 28.
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