While Cristiano Ronaldo, Frank Lampard and the like return back to their mansions in their Ferraris, the non-league players face the gruelling task of balancing their would-be sporting careers around the busy world of work.

And for Shirebrook Town goalkeeper Mark Frost it is a schedule that often makes for a draining lifestyle.

"We have just had a new baby so it is really hectic at the moment,"said Mark.

"I am up at 2am for his feed and then up again at 6am to drive up to Leeds for work.

"If we have an evening game I have to drive straight to the ground from work, play the game and then get home about midnight.

"Away games are even harder, recently we played away to Bridlington so I had a very long drive after work and back home.

"Playing wise it can be hard juggling everything and leave you tired.

"It can be hard to focus on football if it is stressful at work or home, but for the most part you just put it to the back of your mind."

Frost (30), who recently signed for Town following spells with Blidworth, Teversal and Sutton, has performed well since joining the club, but was forced to sit out the Derbyshire Senior Cup defeat against New Mills due to work commitments.

But for Mark, who works as performance manager for a utilities company, it is a rest that he is sometimes grateful for.

He said: "Missing games sometimes because of work is not as frustrating as you think and can be a blessing in disguise.

"We have played an awful lot of games lately and sometimes the rest is needed.

And, like all non-league footballers, Mark has aspirations of making it at a higher level.

Said Mark: "I don't plan too far ahead in football because experience has shown me to take it one season at a time.

"I am happy with the level I am at right now, it is a good level.

"But of course I always wonder what might have been if I had started playing football earlier and would love to play at a higher level."