James Akintunde's promise to Derry City fans

The Londoner arrived midway through last season's campaign and still managed to finish as the club's joint top scorer with four goals in just nine starts.

That's not saying too much for Derry's goalscoring exploits last season and considering the Candy Stripes managed an average of just one goal per game in the league,Akintunde's return wasn't too shabby on reflection.

Of course one of those goals was the all-important winner against Cork City at Turner's Cross on the final day of the league campaign which ultimately ensured safety from the dreaded relegation play-offs.

Of the midseason recruits last year, Akintunde and Cameron McJannet are currently the only two who have been offered new contracts while Joe Thomson has another year to run in his.

Jake Dunwoody, Adam Hammill and Abrahim Meite, meanwhile, have fallen by the wayside.

City boss Devine saw enough from Akintunde both on and off the pitch last season to know there's lots more to come from the former Maidenhead United striker.

And Akintunde, who returned home to Greenwich during the close season, believes he can repay that faith with a full pre-season behind him.

"I'm really excited," said the 24 year-old. "Obviously I came halfway through the season last year and it was tough to get up to full fitness and I struggled with a few injuries here and there.

"Hopefully this year will be different with a full preseason and hopefully the team can get 100 percent out of me and I can have a bigger impact and get more goals.

"I had a few other chances to score during the season as well so the chances were there and obviously with full fitness I would expect to get more chances and take more goals.

"Even though it was only four goals I was still happy with that and I knew I could've got a few more.

"So the plan for this season is to get way more goals than that and stay as fit as I can."

It was

It wasn't just his graft on the pitch that pleased Devine but also his attitude and 'positive influence' off it, despite the difficult working environment due to Covid-19 restrictions.

"I really liked working with James last year," said Devine. "In my opinion James has a huge part to play for this club in 2021 and I have no doubt that our supporters will see plenty of him throughout the season.”

While the Covid crisis made it a lot more difficult to settle into life in Derry, Akintunde thoroughly enjoyed his time on Foyleside.

"With Covid and everything it was a bit of a nightmare and not having the fans in especially. The gaffer was really good and I'm delighted to be working with him again.

"He's got a lot of belief in the players and I have a lot of belief in him. I'm buzzing to be back and hopefully the season can be a good one."

So after the disappointment of last year what does Akintunde think would constitute a good season at Brandywell?

"I believe we're definitely good enough to challenge at the top end of the table and maybe get a good cup run.

"Last season we all know we underachieved and it was fine margins in games when we lost when we should've won.

"Hopefully this season works out differently. The plan is to hopefully qualify for the Europa League again and my difficulty target is to get as many goals as I can and just help the team win.

"The League of Ireland is a really good standard and I really enjoyed the games. Especially at Derry I like the way the team looks to play football.

"There are teams I've been at before who didn't play as much football or play the same style as Derry. It suits me more.

"Obviously there will be new signings this year but hopefully we keep trying to play football the right way. I'm enjoying it so I'm happy to be playing there."

Akintunde is currently Derry's only striker ahead of the new campaign but with hopes of tying up a deal for David Parkhouse, the Englishman is relishing the prospect of playing with a strike partner.

"It's always nice to play with a strike partner but it doesn't matter if I'm playing on the left or up front as long as I get gametime I will always give 100 per cent - that's the most important thing.

"And hopefully the fans are allowed back in at some point. Junior (Ogedi-Uzowe) told me about Brandywell when there's fans, the atmosphere is amazing and the fans are great.

"Also, when you play in front of fans they always get that extra 20 per cent out of you. I'm hoping this year, at some stage, fans will be allowed in. It would be amazing to play in front of them."

Mention of the league's top goalscorer in 2019, Junior will have got most Derry fans excited, particularly with talk of Parkhouse returning.

While Akintunde's good friend and neighbour is currently favouring a return to football in England, there remains some hope he can convince Junior to return.

"I tried to convince Junior," he insisted. "We're just waiting to see. I chat to him on a regular basis. I'll definitely try my best," promised Akintunde.

"Myself and Junior we always play football together anyway during the summer so we have that connection and know how each other plays.I'd love to see him at Derry again next year but we'll have to wait and see what happens."