On the football pitch, Dons favourite Adebayo Akinfenwa uses his strength and skill to serve the ball to his striking partners.

Off the pitch, he is a servant to a much higher power, for Akinfenwa is a deeply devout Christian, and proud of it.

Throughout his football career, Akinfenwa has turned to his faith to overcome everything from racist abuse to goal-scoring droughts.

There was no earth-shattering moment when God revealed himself, more a growing belief, instilled by his mum, that he was blessed to simply being able to get out of bed in the morning.

Moreover, the 32-year-old knows all too well that his football career is temporary, but his faith is forever.

“My mum was born Muslim, but ended up reading the Bible and, from a young age, she told us that we could not do anything in this world without God,” he said.

“She would try to get us to read the Bible as kids, and we said: ‘Ah, mum, I want to go out and play’.

“It was only as I got older and realised that, as you go through testing times, it is my faith that gets me through.”

Wimbledon Times:

Big moment: Adebayo Akinfenwa hits the Dobs decisive third at MK Dons in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Picture: Getty Images

He added: “In truth, I never liked going to church. I felt like the pastors were trying to brainwash their views on me, telling me that everything else is wrong – I sat there and thought ‘How arrogant are you?’

“Then I met someone who told me that church is just like school – there are things that teachers say in school that you don’t agree with, but it doesn’t mean you stay away from school.

“I went back with an open mind, and there are times when I still feel the pastor is talking to me – when I am not playing well or if I’ve sinned – but now it’s testament to me that God exists.”

As Dons fans will testify, Akinfenwa is a patient man, happy to chat or pose for a photo with anyone.

However, that is not to say the man is not a sinner, as he readily admits.

“There was not a moment when I ‘saw the light’, it was a gradual thing and now I see God’s work everywhere,” he said.

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“At 18 I got racist abuse, and now I’m opening Adidas stores, it’s mind-boggling.

“I still sin daily, I still go out on the weekend, but I believe I have an understanding with God, and I believe he has an understanding with me.”

He added: “Ultimately, I pray every day and I am overly blessed in being able to wake up in the morning.”

As Dons prepare to face Cambridge United this weekend, and Akinfenwa’s fledgling goal drought has extended to five games, his favourite psalm is increasingly apt.

Psalm 121: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

He said: “When I’ve been on a goal drought, I pray for the strength to see me through and eventually it does.

“Some people will say it is coincidence, but for me it is what it is, that is what faith is.”