Adebayo Akinfenwa Comes Out Of Retirement To Play For Hashtag United In Pre-Season Friendly

It's been three years in the making but Adebayo Akinfenwa can finally say he has played for Hashtag United after 'The Beast' featured for The Tags in a pre-season friendly against Walthamstow.

The 40-year-old striker, who suffered heartache at the end of last season after Sunderland beat Wycombe Wanderers in the League One play-off final, announced his decision to retire at full-time.

"I've had 22 years in the game and it has ended at Wembley," he said. "We can be proud. Nobody thought we'd be here. They will come back next season and have success."

Ok! Ok! Ok! I will do it I’ve got some time on my hands 😂😂😉 #AkinfenwaForPrimeMinister ✌🏿 pic.twitter.com/HuyDGQ24fT

— daRealAAkinfenwa (@daRealAkinfenwa) July 7, 2022

Akinfenwa has certainly kept himself busy since retiring as a professional footballer. Last month, he made his talkSPORT debut as a guest alongside Ally McCoist and host Laura Woods.

And just a few weeks later, the former Swansea City and AFC Wimbledon forward decided to lace up his boots again.

8. Pre-Season. Hashtag 3-0 Walthamstow. Mix and match side with several youth getting minutes. Akinfenwa up top for # with little-to-no threat replaced at half-time by Toby from Love Island - weird, but rate it. Reunited with the Rabble and 1st outing for the flag. We go again. pic.twitter.com/1whahK4zVB

— Aaron (@FeedTheSpud) July 11, 2022

The experienced striker enjoyed a 45-minute cameo for Hashtag United during Monday night's pre-season clash against Walthamstow at the Len Salmon Stadium.

He was eventually replaced by Love Island's finest, Toby Aromolaran.

Akinfenwa didn't manage to find the net for the Isthmian League North side, but goals from Kiangebeni, Vukaj and Okunja sealed a solid 3-0 win for Jay Devereux's side.

After the final whistle, he confirmed it was only a one-off appearance for The Tags.

"I had to keep my word and turn up to play for Hashtag," Akinfenwa told SPORTbible. "Spencer Owen [Hashtag United founder] is my guy. He's been trying to sign me up to play here for the last three years.

"I told him when I retire, I would come play for him but I just kept signing one year deals," he laughs. "But I kept my word and I played for Hashtag in the end!"

The 40-year-old said the standard was "good" during the game. "I think Hashtag will do decent this season. It's a great set-up down there," he added.

"But I think I'm done. Monday's game was partly to see how my knee would react and well, it doesn't seem like it wants to work anymore!"

Akinfenwa played for the likes of Swansea, Northampton Town and Gillingham during a 20-year career in the game. He made a total of 742 appearances before announcing his retirement in May.