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Sport

Popular ex-Gillingham striker Adebayo Akinfenwa comes out of retirement to sign for ambitious Isthmian South East strugglers Faversham Town

By: Thomas Reeves treeves@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 14:00, 11 March 2023

Updated: 14:56, 12 March 2023

A hugely popular former Football League striker has joined Faversham to help their bid to avoid relegation from Isthmian South East.

Adebayo Akinfenwa, 40, links up with the Lilywhites to further help bolster their frontline as he comes out of retirement.

Former Gillingham striker Adebayo Akinfenwa has signed for Faversham. Picture: Andy Payton

Known as "The Beast", the frontman, recognised as one of the strongest players in football, enjoyed two seasons with Gillingham between 2010 and 2014. There, he worked alongside Faversham coach Darren Hare who was their head of youth.

Akinfenwa played with Town boss Sammy Moore at AFC Wimbledon as well.

He also counts Leyton Orient, Doncaster, Torquay, Swansea and Northampton among his old sides before he initially retired last season with Wycombe.

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Akinfenwa came off the bench for what then appeared the final match of his career, losing 2-0 at Wembley in the League 1 play-off Final to Sunderland.

Last season, Gills fans stayed behind at Priestfield to show their appreciation to Akinfenwa - who has in excess of 250,000 followers on Twitter - after he had come off the bench in April's 1-1 draw between the teams.

As Gillingham line up for the squad photo ahead of the 2013/14 season, Darren Hare, now a Faversham coach, is back row, far right and Adebayo Akinfenwa is front row, third from right. Picture: Andy Payton

Akinfenwa started at Faversham in August 2010 as Gillingham beat the Lilywhites 1-0 during a pre-season friendly.

But now, Moore has convinced him to put his boots on once more.

He started at Lancing and helped Town into a 1-0 half-time lead on Saturday, setting up Ronald Sithole's effort.

But after he came off at the break, the hosts rallied to earn a 2-1 triumph.

The following day, Akinfenwa said he was still in pain after his debut as he added on his Instagram story: "I'd forgot[ten] that after-game feeling!"

The Lilywhites have also extended the loan of young frontman Sithole until the end of the season and signed experienced midfielder Tyler Christian-Law.

Ex-Folkestone frontman Jerson Dos Santos has departed Faversham too.

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