IT was a genius move which even the most practised of public relations spindoctors would have admired.

Supersize cult-hero Adebayo Akinfenwa had just scored the winning penalty in the play-off final at Wembley, helping AFC Wimbledon into League 1.

In his post-match interview on Sky, the 34-year-old striker gave his best sales pitch reminding managers that he was now technically unemployed and urging them to "hit me up on Whatsapp".

One of those managers who saw the interview was Wycombe's Gareth Ainsworth.

"I think I texted him back" recalled Ainsworth after bringing on the experienced front-man as a second half substitute to score the winner in a dogged 1-0 win over Exeter City. "I think his agent then got in touch, and Ade has proved to be a good signing for us on and off the field."

"I think the text said 'I want you'," is Akinfenwa's version of the Whatsapp conversarion. "He said I am interested. It was cool, I sat down with him as I sat down with a few other clubs.

"What the gaffer said resonated and stood out. He has got that burning desire which I still have. Wycombe seemed similar to AFC Wimbledon in the togetherness and what they are trying to build here.

"I am not saying we are the underdogs, but we haven't got a massive budget. The gaffer told me what he wanted me to bring both on and off the pitch, and I am a big believer.

"As of now it has been a right decision and I am happy I am a Wycombe player."

Ainsworth certainly has no doubt that Akinfenwa was the right man to bring in to add his experience both on and off the field working with the youngsters. The only gamble was his age, insisted Ainsworth. There was no question about his ability.

"Ade was always in the back of the mind," revealed the Wycombe boss.

"We signed Paris Cowan-Hall for pace up front, because with Paul Hayes last season we just struggled to get behind teams sometimes. Hayes is a fantastic player, well above this level, but last season when we fired the ball into the box a few times, we just needed that big man.

"So I ended up getting the biggest which is Bayo."

Ainsworth described the striker, who now has two goals to his name this term, as a breath of fresh air for the club. It gives him an option, either as a starter or as a subsitute to change up things.

Over the years, teams have become wise to Wycombe's tactics. Throwing on Akinfenwa isn't necessarily a plan B, but it is a card to play when the time is right.

As for Akinfenwa, who has now become a cult figure in the newly-launched FIFA 2017 computer game, The Beast is biding his time but chomping at the bit for minutes on the pitch.

"Of course I would like more game time," he pointed out. "The time I am happy not to get game time and sit on the bench is the time I will pack it in.

"The Gaffer knows I still have that burning desire to play. We regularly sit down. He has always kept me in the loop.

"When I'm on the bench I am talking to him and give him the evil look sometimes when he is not putting me on, but it is what it is.

"The day I am not happy playing is the day I will pack my boots up."

And asked after Saturday's game how his body would react on Sunday morning, he replied: "I will be stiff from the game, but I will feel blessed and I will feel good. I will be at church on Sunday and I will praise the Lord for all the blessings I have been given.

"And then I will go at it again on Monday."