Ade - 'The chairman wanted me out'

Akinbiyi said: "Consistently since last summer, I have attempted to get from Stoke that which I was promised. I arrived on a free transfer on a vastly reduced wage when more was on offer from other clubs, despite the chairman asserting that I'd emptied the coffers at that time, which annoyed me.

"I had better offers financially from a number of other clubs, but because I'd previously played on loan at Stoke and fallen in love with the club and the fans, it was always my first choice to come back to Stoke City.

"As soon as Stoke received their first offer from a club willing to buy me, then it was made perfectly clear that no effort would be made to keep me,"

Ade - 'The chairman wanted me out'

Last updated : 28 February 2005 By Rob Stanway