It is not often a footballer successfully battles relegation one season to go on and win the league the next, but that is one thing Kingstonian midfielder Liam Collins has in his locker.

The Byfleet bricklayer helped Carshalton Athletic to avoid the Ryman League Premier Division trap door on the final day of the season in 2008, before lifting the Division One South title with Ks last season.

The 27-year-old is in his second spell at Kingsmeadow having quit the club in 2004 after a start to the campaign that brought seven defeats in 12 games, including a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Billericay Town.

Ks were unsurprisingly relegated that year and Collins is out to make sure that doesn’t happen again and fancies adding to his list of honours.

“There is no better feeling than winning the league,” he said.

“It was all fairly dramatic at Carshalton on the final day and I did’t think you could beat that, but winning the league with one or two games left was unbelievable - particularly for our loyal fans.

“It would be nice to get player of the year. That is one thing I’ve never achieved in my senior career and another promotion wouldn’t go a miss.

“I can see no reason why we couldn’t be challenging again and go through another league. Keeping the same bunch of lads together, season to season, can achieve a lot.”

Collins has suffered mixed fortunes during the close season, celebrating the latest addition to his ‘Family from L’ - baby Lennon - just weeks after the death of his mother.

But the reaction of the club and supporters reminded him why he returned to the club where he first found success.

“I’ve always wanted to play for Dowse every since I was in the youth team at Walton & Hersham, so when he gave me a call I didn’t have to think twice,” he added.

“Having come back you can see AFC Wimbledon have made so many improvements to the ground and the club itself is so much more professional.

“But it is at times like this that you find out what sort of club Ks really is. It is a really close knit bunch of lads and everyone from the supporters to the management and players have been brilliant.”

On top of adding a few more trophies to his cabinet Collins would like to add a few more goals to his collection having netted just nine times in 189 appearances for the club.

But he accepts it is going to be hard to beat Bobby Traynor and Carl Wilson-Denis to the scoring plaudits this season.

“The problem is I don’t think I’m a good finisher. At my age I’ve lost a bit of pace, so I’m not exactly going to surge into the box,” he said.

“I only get to shoot from 30 yards out. That said the best goal I scored was from about 40 yards out so there is a chance.

“I’m certainly not going to beat Carl or Bobby to a chance.”

Liam’s tales from the training ground.

Best trainer: Jamie Beer. He likes a tackle.

Worst trainer: Tom Dilloway. He has had so many nightmares I’ve lost count.

Sicknote: Max Hustwick. He always seems to have a niggle. Also there is a bloke who turned up at pre-season this year. He got injured in the first session and has been stood on the sideline watching ever since. I’ve no clue who he is or why he is there. I don’t even know his name.

Teacher’s Pet: Bobby Traynor. Everyone says he is the ‘Son of Dowse’. He’s been on holiday for the last couple of weeks and I seriously think Alan has had withdrawal symptoms. I think he’s even been sending him pocket money while he’s been away.

Session from hell: Two widths of the pitch in under 20 seconds 13 times. And then they expect you to play one touch football when your legs are like jelly.

Coaches catchphrase: Martin Tyler - ‘Well, Man Utd/Fulham (delete as appropriate) do it......’ Alan Dowson - ‘You’re weak as p***’ or ‘You’re mentally weak’.