Kingstonian defender Alan Inns might be delighted to be back at Kingsmeadow, but his wife may not share his enthusiasm.

The 31-year-old joined Ks last month from Conference South Farnborough to work under former Hampton & Richmond Borough team-mate Graham Harper and new manager Tommy Williams.

School teacher Inns, who won the Conference South title with AFC Wimbledon and Woking, lifted the Ryman Premier League crown with the Beavers, alongside Harper.

And, with pre-season training set to kick-off in less than two weeks time, he cannot wait to put family life on hold again at the weekends.

“Graham and I became good friends at Hampton and he was best man at my wedding,” he said.

“My wife knows him well and when I signed for Ks, the first thing she said was ‘I guess that will be you out with the boys every Saturday night, now’.

“We’ve got a two-year-old lad and there are only so many parks and farms you can go to on a Saturday afternoon before you’re itching to play football again.”

Harper persuaded Inns to drop down a league over a curry at the end of last season and Inns admitted a fresh challenge and the prospect of a coaching role was too good an offer to turn down.

“I was plodding along at Farnborough. It was easy for me,” he added “At my age you need a fresh challenge to get you going again and that is why I moved.

“It is great to be back at Kingsmeadow. When I left AFC Wimbledon I always said I would be back here one day.

“I’ve got great memories of playing here and Tommy sold me the idea of what he wants to achieve.

“I’ve been lucky enough in my career to play for some great clubs and Kingstonian is another.

“I’ve seemed to be involved with at least the play-offs throughout my career and hopefully that can continue.

“The manager has done well to keep the squad together.

“They were not far off promotion last year, so a couple of tweaks could make the difference.”

And as for renewing old footballing friendships.

“Harps and I had some great slanging matches on the pitch, so I’ll be well used to his stick from the sidelines,” he said.

“Our friendship goes on hold on matchday able to speak our minds.”