BLACK HISTORY MONTH: ADE AKINBIYI

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Burnley Football Club continue to celebrate Black History Month this October...

2022-10-12T15:50:13.045Z

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: ADE AKINBIYI

Burnley Football Club continue to celebrate Black History Month this October...

2022-10-12T15:50:13.045Z

Throughout the course of the month, we will be recognising former Black Burnley players and their legacy and achievements at the Club.

We will also be talking to current players to find out about their sporting heroes and footballers that inspired them to play the beautiful game.

Ade Akinbiyi

One of the most explosive debuts ever to be seen at Turf Moor was that of Ade Akinbiyi in March 2005.

The Nigerian international started his footballing career as a trainee at Carrow Road back in the early 1990’s. He made his debut for the Canaries in a UEFA tie against German giants Bayern Munich, coming on as a second-half substitute in November 1993.

After loan spells at Hereford and Brighton he joined Gillingham in 1997, after making just over 50 appearances for Norwich.

Akinbiyi soon repaid the trust instilled in him, netting 29 goals in 68 league and cup appearances for the Gills.

The free scoring centre-forward was then snapped up by newly promoted Bristol City in the summer of 1998 for £1.2 million.

After netting 25 goals in just 53 league and cup appearances for the Ashton Gate club, Akinbiyi was again on the move a year later. Wolverhampton Wanderers paid, a then club record fee of £3.5 for the muscular striker.

Twelve months later the nomadic forward moved across the Midlands, joining Leicester City for an eye watering £5.5 million.

Unfortunately he struggled to make an impression with the Foxes and joined Crystal Palace after a turbulent time at Filbert Street.

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After a loan spell at the Britannia Stadium he joined Stoke City on a permanent basis in 2003, linking up with another future Burnley player, Gifton Noel-Williams. After a barren spell he was back at his best, winning the Player of the Year for the 2003/04 season, helping the Potters gain promotion back to the Championship.

Steve Cotterill capture the signature of the Hackney-born forward in February 2005 for a fee of £600,000.

He made his debut for the Clarets in a televised game against Sunderland at Turf Moor, with the Clarets trailing to a Liam Lawrence’s first-half goal, Cotterill introduced Akinbiyi with 10 minutes of the game remaining.

Within minutes Akinbiyi literally saw red, in more ways than one. After an altercation with the Black Cats defender George McCartney, referee Iain Williamson had no alternative but to brandish a straight red card.

An impact player by natural, he soon became a firm favourite at Turf Moor with his powerful runs, as he tore many defences to pieces.

An audacious start to the 2005/06 season saw him netting six goals in his first seven appearances, followed by a hat-trick at Kenilworth Road in November, as the Clarets beat Luton Town 3-2 with ten men.

Once again his scoring feats brought him much attention and in January 2006 the Clarets accepted, a then club record fee of £1.75 million from Sheffield United.

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A loss of form at Bramall Lane soon saw the charismatic centre-forward returning to Turf Moor a year later.

Many fans still remember the chaotic scenes at Stamford Bridge back in November 2008 when the effervescent Akinbiyi stole the show.

Didier Drogba had given the reigning Premier League Champions a much deserved first-half lead in the Carling Cup tie. With just over 20 minutes remaining Chris Eagles broke into the box before his left wing cross found an unmarked Akinbiyi.

The Nigerian international smashed the ball past Carlo Cudicini, triggering wild celebrations both on and off the pitch.

His final game for Burnley was in the semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor in January 2009.

After a brief spell in America with Houston Dynamo’s, he returned to continue his playing career with Notts County, prior to becoming player/coach with Colwyn Bay where he finally hung up his boots in 2015.

Ade Akinbiyi is still immortalised as a Clarets legend, a player who has left many fond memories for those who witnessed his exploits whilst here at Turf Moor.