Adebayo Akinfenwa insists he’s committed to the Gills despite a loan deadline-day bid from Northampton Town.

The League 2 strugglers had targeted Akinfenwa as the man to help rescue them from the prospect of dropping out of the Football League.

Striker Akinfenwa has twice played for Northampton – netting 71 league goals in 141 starts – but any potential deal was vetoed by Gills chairman Paul Scally on Thursday.

“The speculation wasn’t just talk – it was genuine,” revealed 31-year-old Akinfenwa.

“Northampton tried and they tried hard. It was all-systems go on their half. They had a contract and tried their upmost to get me there but our chairman wasn’t having a bar of it. He shut it down real quick.

“I have got a crazy amount of love for Northampton and I don’t want them to get relegated. Touch wood, by the grace of God, we (Gillingham) are safe.

“There was an opportunity where I could have gone back to help them stay safe and I was thinking hard about it.

“As I feel for Northampton is how I feel for Gillingham. They are two places I enjoy playing.

“If we were mathematically safe here then maybe the chairman would have said ‘go back and help them out and see what happens’ but I understand what the chairman is saying.

“I am here and everyone knows I enjoy playing here. We have seven games to play. Let’s get as many points as possible and then see what the future holds.”

Northampton instead signed Millwall forward John Marquis. Akinfenwa is out of contract at the end of the season.

“I want it on record that I am happy to stay here," said the striker. "I have always said from the get go, what is meant to happen happens.

“I am happy here and I enjoy everything about this place; the boys, the fans and the area.”