His first book, Angel on my Shoulder, tackles the difficult subject of childhood grief and loss, helping young people find comfort in memories of those they have lost. The book is now available through Waterstones, Amazon, Foyles and Barnes & Noble - quite a journey for something that began as a few notes scribbled down during a quiet day at work.

The inspiration, however, came from much more difficult circumstances.

“A couple of our younger players lost their fathers,” Nick explains. “We were trying to help them deal with their grief as a team and help them move forward.”

Nick had also seen close friends and family members experience the devastating loss of children and wanted to find a way of doing something positive that might offer lasting support.

“I wanted to do something that could help,” he says. “Not just a one-off donation or a big drive to raise some money, but something that could help children going forward and always be there for them at home.”

Angel on my Shoulder encourages children to use their memories and imagination to find comfort in everyday sights, sounds and experiences - small things that might remind them of someone they have lost or from whom they are separated.

The aim is not to take away the sadness, but to give children another way of thinking about those they miss.

“It’s about giving young people a coping mechanism,” says Nick, “and helping them cherish the memories rather than only thinking about the sad time.”

From notebook to bookshelf

Having never written a book before, Nick initially had little idea where his notes might lead.

“The book just evolved over a matter of weeks,” he says. “It was written, rewritten, edited and changed I don’t know how many times.”

Eventually he took the plunge and sent the manuscript to a publisher.

“I just wanted to see whether we could make my scribblings in a notebook actually come to life. The publishers were fantastic and helped me through the whole journey. It went from being a bit of a backthought to becoming a reality.”

There is also a very personal Warlingham connection hidden within the illustrations.

The book’s mother, father and child were modelled on Nick, his wife Helen and their son Jack, who plays in Warlingham’s U11s. Helen is, of course, also the club’s Safeguarding Officer.

Nick supplied photographs of the family to help create the characters, although he admits the illustrated version of himself may have benefited from a little artistic licence.

“I’ve managed to lose a few pounds and my hairline has improved drastically,” he laughs.

Starting conversations

Although the book had only been available for around a week when we spoke, Nick had already begun receiving messages from parents dealing with bereavement and asking whether it might help their children.

“One person contacted me about his five-year-old daughter and asked whether it would be something she could use,” he says. “That’s exactly who it’s aimed at.”

The reaction closer to home has been equally positive, if occasionally less reverential.

“A lot of people were shocked I’d actually written a book,” Nick jokes, “because a lot of them didn’t believe I could read one!”

Behind the changing-room humour, though, he says the support has been overwhelming.

“People have been really touched by it and by the fact that it’s something designed to help others. I’ve been blown away by the support.”

And anyone assuming this is a one-off may need to think again.

Nick has already submitted a second book to his publisher, with hopes that it could appear within the next few months.

So from captaining the 2nd XV to children’s author, perhaps Warlingham has found its resident man of letters. Could this be the start of a whole new chapter for Nick?

Watch this space.