John Akinde: the EFL veteran who still has goals in his locker

John Akinde isn’t necessarily a household name when it comes to renowned strikers, however, the 31-year-old has had a lengthy career that has seen spells at numerous clubs; due in large part to his goal scoring prowess, and the Englishman is still finding the back of the net in professional football.

Currently in his first full season at Gillingham, the striker has seven goals to his name this campaign, with two coming in his latest outing; a 2-0 home win over Bristol Rovers.

Standing at 6’2” with a muscular frame, Akinde was a handful for the Bristol Rovers defence at Priestfield Stadium on Saturday, clinically scoring two second-half goals to earn the hosts the three points.

However, their visitors gave a decent account of themselves, particularly in the first half, and will feel aggrieved that they didn’t take a result from Kent.

Also feeling aggrieved will be Akinde, who, despite his brace, could’ve scored a hat-trick having seen a tame penalty saved by Gas ‘keeper Joe Day.

The 31-year-old was on target from the spot just four days prior, giving the Gills the lead on Tuesday night against high-flying Peterborough. The Posh went on to win the contest 3-1 but, having scored three goals in two games after a run of four in 27 appearances.

However, the veteran striker’s career is fascinating, playing for clubs across numerous divisions of English football.

Akinde started his career at non-league outfit Gravesend & Northfleet, now known as Ebbsfleet United, just down the road from where he currently plies his trade. Loan spells at Whistable Town and Margate gave the then-teenager vital experience under his belt before an impressive spell of ten goals in 28 league appearances for Ebbsfleet, as well as lifting the FA Trophy with his boyhood club.

His reward was a dream move to Championship club Bristol City, scoring on his debut in a 2-2 draw with Plymouth Argyle, however, that was to be his sole goal in a Robins shirt.

Loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers, Brentford, Bristol Rovers (Saturday’s opponent) and Dagenham & Redbridge all had mixed outcomes, and the 21-year-old made a permanent switch to League Two Crawley Town, who had been recently promoted to the Football League.

Again, it didn’t work out for the forward, scoring once in 31 appearances. In 2012, Dagenham & Redbridge took him on for another loan, where he failed to score in five appearances.

In January 2013, Crawley released Akinde. Without a club, things looked rather bleak for the 23-year-old. Luckily, just a week after leaving Crawley, south-coast outfit Portsmouth picked up the striker on a month-to-month basis.

Again, it just didn’t work out for the Englishman, scoring zero goals in 11 appearances during an underwhelming spell at Fratton Park. Released at the end of the season, it was back to square one.

It was clear that Akinde had to drop down a level or two to find his feet again; the Football League wasn’t his level just yet. That opportunity came in the form of a one-year contract at Conference Premier side Alfreton Town and he certainly took it.

Scoring 18 goals in 42 league appearances during the 2013/14 seasons, Akinde was picked up by fellow Conference outfit Barnet at the end of the season.

The striker had failed to settle at any of his prior clubs, with loan spells, month-to-month contracts and, if lucky, a one year deal. However, the North London side showed faith in Akinde after an impressive season, handing him a two-year contract, with the goal of promotion to the Football League.

It was at The Hive where the talisman found a home. Scoring 31 league goals in his first season, Akinde won the golden boot as well as the league title as Barnet were promoted into the Football League. Another impressive season in 2015/16 was rewarded with a three-year contract and in the following campaign, he became the club’s highest-ever league goalscorer.

However, after four years in North London, Akinde signed for League Two outfit Lincoln City, where he guided the Imps to the league title as well as finishing the 2018/19 campaign their top scorer.

Mid-way through the following season, Gillingham was the next port of call, returning to his home county in Kent. There was interest in January, however, the striker is proving to be a key asset for Steve Evans’ side who have the realistic target of a top-half finish.

Although, if the Gills are to finish in League One’s top-12, they’ll certainly need their talisman fit and firing.