Mark Ormerod enjoys an unofficial pre-match kickabout with three-year-old son Callum before each Dorchester fixture at The Avenue.

The former Albion goalkeeper now plays part-time with the Dr Martens Eastern Division high-flyers, while holding down a nine-to-five job and spending almost all his spare time with his family.

At 25 he has found contentment in being able to see his future mapped out without professional football.

But with his coming of age has come a sense of perspective. He discovered first hand how easily his personal Nirvana could be invaded when his only child suffered suspected meningitis a few weeks ago.

He was nearly 200 miles away coming back from a match at Wisbech when he received the sort of call every parent dreads.

"My wife Lee-Anne phoned me on the mobile. It was about ten o'clock at night and there I was miles away. I just wanted to be there for Callum and my wife. Meningitis can be fatal. I didn't get hysterical but I was stunned and obviously concerned and got to the hospital as soon as I could, took a week off work and thankfully everything is now all right. Callum is fine.

"But it gives your life a sense of perspective. What added to it was the fact he is our only child and so special. I feel like wrapping him up in cotton wool to protect him.

"I find myself sounding like my parents, although I know that children have to become self-reliant.

"Callum's reached a great age where he has started to be aware of so many things. He is a normal, lively boy. We have a great time together. I love taking him on the pitch before a match at The Avenue. I'm not supposed to but he loves doing it too.

"I like a game of golf, plucking away at my bass guitar at home - I quit the indy band I was in called The Marlins because I couldn't fit it into my schedule - and going out with my mates.

"But I spend most of my spare time with my family. I take my wife out for meals or both of us take Callum on a day out to a theme park like Thorpe Park. I'm really into being the family man."

He works as a financial consultant for Liverpool Victoria Insurance in his native Bournemouth.

"When I was at Albion a mate recommended it as a career because it was where the money is. When I was given a free transfer at Albion we'd just bought a place and money was a bit tight. But I passed my exams and, although the market is a bit volatile at the moment for obvious reasons, the job is going okay, providing me with a career until retirement. I like that."

Ormerod revealed he receives a helping hand from current Albion skipper Paul Rogers, who has been a stock broker.

"I keep in touch with Dodge. He has given me some good advice and contacts which I appreciate."

Ormerod adds to the family kitty with wages from Dorchester where his appearances this season have been limited because of a broken thumb.

"The money I get from Dorchester is a very welcome bonus."

He is also grateful to former Albion mate Mark Morris, manager of the Dorset club, for giving him the chance to get back into football after a move from the Seagulls to Conference outfit Woking at the beginning of last season went sour.

"Woking turned out to be a nightmare. It was like the manager stabbed me in the back. I was on a two-year deal and played about ten games. I cost a couple of goals and then he wouldn't play me and made me train with the reserves. I couldn't be arsed to be treated like that.

"I think some managers in the non-league are muppets who think they are Arsene Wenger. They should treat players with respect.

"Fortunately for me Mark took me on for which I thank him. I find the level a lot easier but I'm enjoying my football. Also, it means a lot less travelling.

"I really have no ambitions to get back in the pro game. At 25 most goalkeepers know if they will play in the Premiership. I just want to play for Dorchester, pursue my career aspirations and have a happy home life."

Ormerod's focus altered the day Micky Adams called him into his office the day after he saved a penalty in Albion's Sussex Senior Cup win over Hastings on May 1, last year.

"He told me that I hadn't played much and that he was giving me a free transfer. It wasn't the most pleasant experience but looking back I'm more philosophical. He was thinking of the club as a whole which is, or rather was, his job. He did a good one for them and I'm pleased they are doing well now. There's some good players there.

"The supporters and the club itself deserve it after the tough times."

Ormerod was one of a clutch of youth trainees who were introduced to the Albion team during the dark days before the current revival.

He tasted first team football at 16 in friendlies against Wimbledon and Crystal Palace. But he had to wait four years for his League debut during which he had 82 games sitting on the bench before taking over from Nicky Rust midway through the traumatic 1996-97 season.

Ormerod went on to share the No. 1 jersey with Mark Walton, ending up with 93 league and cup appearances. He also finished with the record number of appearances as a substitute goalkeeper: 103.

"It was nice to get a chance. They certainly were struggling at the time and more prepared to take a chance on the youngsters like myself, Kerry (Mayo), who is still there of course, Phil Andrews, now with me at Dorchester, and Ross Johnson.

"It was a difficult time to play but I still have highlights, like the day I saved a penalty against Torquay and, of course, the Hereford draw which saved the club's league status. It's a bit of a blur, but knowing you played such a role in the club's history means a lot."

The young graduates developed a bond.

Ormerod said: "Us youngsters used to have a good old laugh. You were always on a winner with the girls in Brighton because we were known at such a young age. It was good thing, although your view changes when you are no longer single and have a family to support."

Ormerod has not seen Albion play since he left. Moreover, he has yet to go back to the city.

"I don't really know why. There's a lot of memories. Maybe I'm bitter about what happened to me. But really I don't have any spare time."

He is thankful that some of that time can still be spent sneaking Callum on to Dorchester's field of dreams.

That is when Ormerod is at the centre of his Nirvana.