10:00am Sunday 15th November 2009
By Suzanne Geldard
THIS time last year, if someone had told Ade Akinbiyi he’d have a play-off winners’ medal and be working for Sven Goran Eriksson he would probably have advised a head examination.
But it is all very much reality for the experienced striker.
“You never know what’s round the corner,” said the 35-year-old, who has gone halfway round the world and back in just eight months.
His journey from Burnley to Notts County, where he signed in October, was made via Houston, after his last season with the Clarets was cut short by a leap into Major League Soccer.
As Burnley’s season was drawing to a successful close, the powerhouse front man joined Houston Dynamo just a few fixtures into their 2009 campaign.
Being in between away games against San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto FC meant he missed out on a glorious day at Wembley. He’d have loved to have flown back to cheer on his old team-mates. Instead he had to settle for being with them in spirit.
But thanks to his former manager, Owen Coyle, he has a permanent reminder of an unforgettable season in which he played a key part.
“I’d just got home from America and there was a parcel with a medal in it and a letter from Owen Coyle,” said Akinbiyi.
“I’d like to thank him for that.
“I’m going to frame it along with the letter.”
Of Akinbiyi’s 15 appearances last season, he only started once – at Barnsley.
But a huge Carling Cup goal from the bench at Stamford Bridge was one of the highlights, and turning points, of the whole campaign.
Burnley were trailing to a Didier Drogba goal when the former Stoke and Leicester striker made his entrance on the hour.
Nine minutes later, they were level. A bare-chested Akinbiyi stood with his muscular arms outstretched. Above him, an army of 6,000 Clarets were going absolutely wild.
He cringes when he recollects his celebration. In hindsight he would have preferred to have wrapped those bulging biceps around the necks of the team-mates who had reached him first.
But he was in the zone; caught up in a moment that ultimately forced extra time, then penalties. Akinbiyi’s only goal of the season, combined with Brian ‘the Beast’ Jensen’s penalty heroics, made them believe they could do anything, including earn their place in the Premier League.
Akinbiyi had left before the fairytale was completed.
He had considered ending his career at Burnley and hanging up his boots at the end of that campaign, but was persuaded to carry on for as long as possible by Coyle – the voice of experience having played into his forties.
“He’s still turning out for the reserves!” smiled Akinbiyi, who, even though his transfer to Houston Dynamo didn’t quite go to plan, insists he has no regrets.
“They’d rushed me out there but they didn’t start me.
“The team kept winning and it was hard for me to get into the side.
“I was coming on for 10 or 20 minutes. I didn’t mind doing that but travelling on the Friday and not coming back until the Sunday was hard. Flying to every game was difficult with the jetlag. It took me about a month to get into it.
“I should have just gone there and seen how it was first.”
But it’s not the end of his America dream. Akinbiyi is building up to a sequel.
“I’m looking forward to going back next year or the year after to do some coaching, probably in the academies,” he said.
“Football motivates me and if I can give something to kids in the game then that would be good.”
For the time being, though, his career, which began at Norwich 16 years ago, has continued back in England at League Two Notts County, where he has been reunited with former Burnley assistant manager Dave Kevan.
Kevan, who was number two to Ian McParland, has retained his role despite Swede Hans Backe taking charge two months ago. Eriksson was appointed director of football in the summer.
“Dave knew I was finishing in America and asked if I wanted to go there,” said Akinbiyi, who is hoping to stay in the first team for this afternoon’s game at Bury after making his full debut in the Magpies’ FA Cup first round win over Bradford City last Friday.
“There’s a lot of media attnention on the club now, but as players you don’t let that affect you.
“(Sven) is at the training ground every day. He’s very hands on. He even watches the youth team. And he never leaves until we’ve finished training.
“He’s always watching and scouting different things.
“His arrival came as a bit of a shock. I’d only been there two weeks.
“There’s a new manager in now, who seems like a good guy, and he's just getting on with it.”
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