With two kids, one on the way, his own business to run and a promotion bid to handle, you could say Kingstonian midfielder Tommy Williams will have his hands full in 2009.

Boss Alan Dowson’s men are well placed to launch a bid for the Ryman League Division One South title having made a good start to the season.

Early exits in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy are the only real blemishes, but Williams - signed from Boreham Wood last season - insists with so much on his plate, it could be a blessing in disguise.

The 29-year-old was part of the Wood side that claimed the Southern League Eastern Division title and reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy in 2006, which they lost to Woking over two legs.

That season remains the highlight of his career - which started at Millwall - but he reckons the cup run was nearly a step too far for the small squad they had at Meadow Park at the time.

“I’d have to say the spell at Boreham Wood was the best of my career and that season in particular was really special,” he said.

“It almost didn’t work out that way. Because of the cup we had so many games to catch up and it almost cost us. We had such a small squad and it caught up with us. We haven’t got that excuse this time around.

“I’ve got the semi-final games on DVD and when you look at it the games were there to be taken. We were in awe of them, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.”

A back injury as a trainee at Millwall ended Williams hopes of a full-time career in the game early, but the former Carshalton Athletic midfielder can at least claim he has enjoyed the best of both worlds.

The Richmond-based personal trainer, who can be spotted driving a BMW X3, was Eastenders actress and FHM favourite Michelle Ryan’s former boyfriend and enjoyed the trimmings that went with it.

But he claims his four-year stint in the celebrity spotlight wasn’t all it was cracked up to be and is still suffering the fall out.

“We used to get invited to a lot of parties but I can honestly say we went to far less than we were asked to. I liked my privacy too much,” he added.

“It is weird because people in the street think Eastenders is real life and we were always getting hassled when we were out shopping.

“I always used to get stick from the away fans. They once sang the Eastenders theme tune when I ran out the tunnel. It was all a bit strange, but our relationship finished on good terms.

“I still get my picture in magazines because people mix me up with Peterborough United’s Tom Williams - who is with that girl from I’m a Celebrity - but I like to point out I’m a better player.”

Now Williams is happy just to be leading the Ks midfield and providing for one-year-old Lola - born on New Year’s Day and six-year-old George and says fatherhood is becoming a bit of a theme at Kingsmeadow.

“I got my girlfriend Natalie pregnant around the time I scored in three games on the bounce. It seemed everything I hit found the target at that time,” he joked.

“Wayne Finnie has got three kids and Simon Huckle has three. I think we’re having a bit of competition to see how many more we can have between now and the end of the season.”

Hopefully Williams won’t be left holding the baby come May.

Name: Tommy Williams.

Date of birth: June 30, 2008.

Lives: Richmond.

Job: Personal trainer.

Previous clubs: Millwall, QPR, Fulham, Hayes, Staines Town, Carshalton Athletic, Wealdstone, Boreham Wood.

One thing to do before you’re 30: Get promoted with Ks.

Joker in the pack: I’m definitely the funniest bloke at the club. Luke Naughton’s banter is shocking.

Who’s the longest in the shower?: Adam Thompson.

Which team mate would you least like to be stranded on a desert island with?: Bobby Traynor. He’d eat everything.

And another thing: Williams was a guest at Wayne Rooney’s 18th birthday with former girlfriend Eastenders actress Michelle Ryan.

Eastbourne Town have parted company with ex-Brighton striker Danny Leach by mutual consent.

Leach became increasingly frustrated with life on the bench at the Saffrons and the final straw came during the 1-0 victory against Chipstead at the Saffrons last Tuesday.

Leach was dropped from the starting line-up in favour of new signing Ethan Strevett.

During the match Strevett and striker Jamie Salvidge were both injured but the ex-Boro hit-man remained kicking his heels on the bench.

Leach scored more than 30 County League goals for Hailsham Town two seasons ago but has since struggled to make an impact at Eastbourne Borough, Hastings and now Town.

Town boss Ady Colwell said, "I always got on well with Danny but it just was not working out for us.

"He is a great lad and a good player but we decided to part company. It has been a frustrating time for him.

"We have asked him to play in a slightly different role and that could have something to do with it. But we shook hands and he will go with no hard feelings."

Hailsham Town and highflying Eastbourne United are both interested in tempting the striker back to the County League.

Leach's departure will open the door for Strevett who has impressed Colwell since his recent move from Eastbourne Borough.

Strevett is now expected to start tomorrow when Town welcome Dulwich Hamlet to the Saffrons.

Colwell added, "Ethan is a player I like the look of. He has quick feet, a real turn of pace and is hungry to do well."

Dulwich, who are sixth in Ryman League division one south, are looking to do the double over Colwell's men.

Town took the lead at Champion Hill in the first game of the season but the South Londoners hit back to win 2-1.

Colwell said, "They are a pacey side and they have spells in the game where they can hurt you.

"We have to recognise when they have a purple patch and deal with that."

Jamie Salvidge (knee), Luke Denton (head injury) and Peter Featherstone (thigh) are injured. Lloyd Antony is suspended for 35 days after a red card in a university fixture.

Danny Williams faces a fitness test on a dead leg and Ben Putland and brothers Matt and James Aldred return along with exciting young striker James Norwood.

Welling manager Andy Ford should find out later this week the health of midfielder Ryan Johnson.

The former Sittingbourne player collapsed on the pitch during the warm-up before the FA Trophy win over Weymouth on Tuesday night after having a fit.

Ford explained: "I spoke to Ryan late on Tuesday and he was recovered fully and talking.

"He was in hospital waiting for the results of blood tests and I'll be talking to him later to find out how he got on.

"We don't know what it was, it might have been a one-off."

Ford paid tribute to his players after the disruption failed to put them off their stride against Weymouth as the Wings raced into a 2-0 win within 18 minutes.

"Everything that happened meant it was really strange and a quiet dressing room," said Ford.

"We didn't want the game to be delayed and at one point I was giving my team talk when the ambulance men came rushing in."

Former Grays Athletic boss Tim O'Shea has been appointed the new manager of Croydon Athletic.

O'Shea, a former Leyton Orient and Gillingham player, will be joined by Neil Smith as his assistant.

The duo recently held the reins at the Blue Square Premier side, but left the club when it became embroiled in a financial crisis.

The pair are likely to be in control for the weekend game with Worthing.

After the Surrey Senior Cup match with Crystal Palace on Tuesday evening, Whyteleafe Football Club President Tony Lidbury was presented with an award for 50 years service to football. 

The Presentation was made on behalf of the Football Association by Surrey chief Ray Lewis.

Tony has been a one club man throughout the 50 years serving Whyteleafe as a player, Chairman and now President.  These 50 years coincides with Whyteleafe’s period at Church Road. 

Tony recently had an article describing the trials and tribulations moving to the ground and the subsequent history at the ground published in local newspapers.

If you have a have a news story from one of the Ryman Division One clubs please send it in to nonleaguefootballlive@live.co.uk

Chipstead manager Nicky English believes his Ryman League underdogs can push Torquay United all the way when the clubs meet in the FA Cup at Plainmoor on Saturday week.

And English warned the Gulls that they must stop his star striker Danny Oakins if they are to avoid a major upset.

Local boy Oakins scored a hat-trick as the Surrey side completed a 3-0 replay victory over favourites Atherstone Town at their High Road ground on Tuesday night.

It's the first time that Chipstead, who were only promoted to the Ryman League in 2007, have ever reached this stage of the competition.

When they and United meet at Plainmoor on October 25 — the Gulls are likely to cut admission prices to boost the gate — it will be Chipstead's fifth tie in a run which has already netted them £16,000 in prizemoney.

Former AFC Wimbledon manager English says of scaffolder Oakins, 28: "He was amazing the other night.

"When I see him play, part of me is delighted, but part of me is sad, as he could have played at the very top.

"In talent, he is up there with any player I have ever coached.
"Torquay will be fitter than us, tactically more aware and more organised, but I don't believe they are all better in terms of natural talent than our players.

"We'll go there and give it everything we can.

"Before we got through, I just wanted to play them.

"Now we'll do all we can to beat them. Then bring on Leeds at Elland Road!"

Despite languishing in the league — they lie 18th in Division One (South) — Chipstead have beaten Herne Bay, Chatham Town, Dunstable Town and now Atherstone in the Cup.

United boss Paul Buckle was at Tuesday's replay, and he said: "Chipstead have some good players. They are no idiots at all.

Bob Langford looks set to be offered the vacant manager’s role at Leatherhead.

The former Banstead Athletic, Tooting & Mitcham and Redhill and boss has left Croydon Athletic, where he was assistant manager to Dave Garland, today, with the Rams saying he has been offered the job at the Tanners.

Leatherhead are yet to make a formal announcement but are expected to name Langford as boss within the next 24 hours, replacing Ian Hazel who resigned from the job last week.

The Tanners currently sit tenth in Ryman Division One South and Langford’s first game in charge could be away at Godalming Town on October 25.

Metropolitan Police boss Jimmy Cooper is tipping striker Craig Carley to go on a scoring spree after the frontman ended a barren run in front of goal Monday night.

Carley climbed off the bench to grab a deserved equaliser in a top-of-the-table clash at Kingstonian, just his third goal of the campaign.

And Cooper is expecting big things now Carley, the Ryman Division One South’s top scorer last season, is back in the goals.

Cooper said: “I really think this will be the turning point for Craig.

“For me to bench him at the weekend and Monday was a big decision.

“But he had not been playing well and was not scoring goals.

“His attitude in training though was fantastic, and he is working very hard.”

The creditable draw at Kingsmeadow came on the heels of a comfortable 4-1 win over strugglers Whitstable Town on Saturday.

Tommy Moorhouse, Stephen Goddard and Scott Forrester (2) were on the scoresheet as the Blues nestled back into the play-off places.

Cooper added: “We are back on track.

“What was most impressive is that for both games we were missing the spine of our side.

“We have more strength in depth now than before, and that puts us in good stead.

“We will be looking for the play-off spots again this season, and I think we will be in the best shape we have been in terms of winning them.”

The Met are back in FA Trophy action this weekend, entertaining fellow Ryman South side Dulwich Hamlet at Imber Court.

Walton Casuals boss John Morris admits the Stags are suffering a crisis of confidence as the club slide down the Ryman Division One South table.

After a promising start to the season, the campaign hit it’s lowest point Monday night with a 3-1 home defeat to bottom side Corinthian Casuals.

And after a fifth loss in the last six league games, Morris is still searching for the answer.

Morris said: “We are going through a terrible spell at the moment.

“We have no confidence, and at the moment it is very demoralising.

“But there is no magic remedy.

“It is about working hard, being together and staying as a team, not individuals.

“I will be the one taking the flak and I accept that.

“There are a lot of young boys here who have never been under pressure before and they’re feeling it.”

The Stags dominated the first half-hour against the amateurs before sloppy defending saw the visiting Casuals strike twice before the break.

Pushing forward in numbers in the second period, Walton conceded a goal on the break before Ben Stack grabbed a late consolation.

Morris added: “We have become a side leaking goals.

“They were sharper, brighter and faster than us.

“We were chasing the game and just were not good enough in front of goal.”

Walton get a breather from the rigours of the league this weekend when they entertain Ryman Premier side Heybridge Swifts in the FA Trophy.

And Morris is looking forward to the prospect.

He added: “We just need a spark at the moment.

“We need everyone fit, and players are slowly coming back.

“I think Heybridge may be exactly the sort of game that we need - higher opposition and a chance to prove ourselves.

“We have to put games like Corinthian Casuals behind us and move on.”

In Division One South, Sittingbourne threw away a 2-0 lead to go down 3-2 at home to Dulwich Hamlet.

Richard Brady and Colin Richmond got the Brickies off to a flying start, with the home side 2-0 in front after 33 minutes.

However, Daryl Plummer got the visitors' revival going just after the hour mark, before Laurent Hamici grabbed two in the last ten minutes to complete the comeback.

The first a penalty on 82 minutes, after Plummer was felled in the area and then a solo effort, to hammer the final nail into Sittingbourne's coffin.

Late goals from Jimmy Jackson and Jimmy Dryden weren’t enough to prevent Folkestone Invicta suffering their first away league defeat of the season, as Neil Cugley’s side went down 3-2 away to Leatherhead.

The home side were 3-0 in front with just 12 minutes to go, thanks to two goals from Tommy Hutchings and another from Will Jenkins.

However, Jackson’s free kick was arguably the pick of the afternoon’s goals, as his effort went in off the cross bar.

Whitstable Town couldn’t arrest their poor league form as the Metropolitan Police ran out 4-0 winners over Marc Seager’s side.

Finally, Cray Wanderers and Ashford Town shared the spoils with a goalless draw at Hayes Lane.

In a game of few chances, Cray keeper Glen Knight was forced into making three good saves late on.

In Division One North, Chatham Town handed out a 6-1 thrashing away to bottom of the table Witham Town.

A first half brace from David Botterill gave the Chats a 2-0 lead at the break. Tyran James then came off the bench to score two of his own, with Simon Austin and Lee Maskell finishing off the scoring.

Thamesmead came away from their trip to Waltham Abbey pointless, the home side running out 3-0 winners.

Chuck Martini  labelled his players “cowards” after watching them take an FA Trophy Preliminary Round battering.

Beaten-up Godalming Town crashed 5-1 after caving in to Enfield Town on Saturday – just seven days before they take on Blue Square South side Havant & Waterlooville in the FA Cup.

Bewildered boss Martini had spent the tie, as usual, patrolling his technical area.

But after the Ryman Division One North visitors had swept in three goals in the last seven minutes, Martini slunk back onto the dugout bench with his head in his hands.

“I called them a bunch of cowards afterwards,” he revealed. “If it means going to war to win a game you have to do that and we should have been able to do it but we didn’t and that disappointed me.

“I measure my teams not when things are going well but when they are going badly and by who stands up to be counted when the chips are down – I only had two or three players who did that.

“I’ve said it before – we are too nice and it has to stop.”

The two-time FA Trophy winner went on: “I felt half of my team had their eye on the FA Cup. I don’t know why because it’s not like we stand a chance of winning the FA Cup.

"It’s a big game for us but I felt we had more of a chance of upsetting a few teams in the Trophy and having a bit of a run in that.”

Godalming's FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round opponents this weekend were twice in front at Anfield in last season's fifth round before ultimately succumbing to a 5-2 defeat at Liverpool.