Many of us enjoy visiting our local non-league club at the weekend and during the week. We finish work, watch the match and head home ready for a new day. But what about the players who have to fit in their work commitments around the football? How do they do it?

The Echo will be speaking to non-league stars from across south Essex this season about how they juggle two of life’s most crucial aspects – work and football.

This week we speak to Canvey Island striker JOHN SANDS, 27, who struck the winning goal for his side last weekend.

SATURDAY

I get up at 9am on Saturdays – it is an unbelievable feeling being able to relax at home for a bit before football with my girlfriend and my son.

Generally, the missus cooks the breakfast whilst me and my seven-month old watch Soccer AM and slowly get ready for the game.

I leave at around 11.30am to make sure I have enough time to get to Canvey for 1.30pm. I normally travel on my own as I live in Cambridge so I stick some beats on and am on the way.

The game went really well for us. We took the three points and all the lads stuck together and played out of their skin.

I scored the winner (against VCD Athletic) and would have had more but their keeper had a great game. We played two up top as well, which I’ve been crying for and it worked a treat. I got great service, which I think I’ve been lacking from the start of the season. I am a one touch finisher – all my managers will tell you that – so without the service it’s hard to come by goals. But hopefully now things will click into place.

After the game I met up with a mate of mine and we celebrated a good day at the office as he had just won a cricket match and was buzzing too.

SUNDAY

My Sunday’s are generally lazy as I’m recovering from game. We might go out as a family and so something.

MONDAY

Monday comes around far too quickly. I get up at six in the morning and might not be home until dark.

I work in Cambridge as a landscape gardener, and it is really hard work and long hours as well. But I enjoy it, it keeps me fit and the money is good, so it’s not all bad!

Over the years I’ve done many jobs – I think I have probably got the biggest CV in the world. I’ve done landscaping, building, labouring, coach building, been a security guard, doorman, salesman, estate agent – the list could go on.

I’ve lost so many jobs because of football – the bosses agree at the start that it is OK for me to leave for the football, but it grates on them for a while, which is understandable because they have a business to run.

If your employee turns up like a zombie or can barely walk after a midweek game then you see their point!

Being a non-league player is a million times harder than people might think. Trying to balance work, football and family can be very difficult and I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking this.

TUESDAY

Up at 6am again. I cook two pasta meals – one for work one for footy. It was another hard day at work and I finished at 4pm and hit the motorway straightaway to get to football, eating pasta along the way. I have to leave enough time to make sure I get there on time as the traffic on M25 can be a nightmare sometimes.

I arrived at 6.15pm and then started to get up for the game (against Tonbridge Angels). We started well and went 1-0 up, but two minutes later we conceded and on the strike of half-time their striker scored a great goal with a sweet strike. We were still in it though, but early in the second half we went 3-1 down when our keeper was caught in no man’s land so from then it was an uphill battle. They scored a fourth late on in a quick break and the result made the journey home so much longer.

I got home around 12.45am dead to the world and quite depressed to be honest after losing. Anyway, in a blink the alarm is going off and it’s off to work I go...

WEDNESDAY

I nearly fall asleep on my way to work and at this point I’m battling life! I keep soldiering on and get through the day. In the evening it’s lovely to spend some time at home.

THURSDAY

We have training on Thursdays so it really is non-stop. We go through all sorts at training and get ready for Saturday. No wonder non-league players get injured so much with the lack of recovery time. It’s a hard old game but someone’s got to do it.

I love my football and want to put it first. There is still a lot more to come from me!