Former Kingstonian academy manager Neil Hams has been humbled by the support of the football family after having motor neurone disease diagnosed earlier this year.

The 37-year-old, who helped older brother Mark lead Walton Casuals to a record Ryman Division One South finish last season, first showed signs of the illness over the summer.

But it wasn’t until January that the extent of the problem was known after tests at St George’s Hospital in Tooting.

A club statement from Casuals over the weekend officially broke the news with Hams senior – former assistant to Alan Dowson at Kingstonian – organising a benefit day to be held at Waterside Drive on May 10.

Social media has been flooded by messages of support for Neil from across the non-League game.

“You build up a football family during your career,” said Neil.

“We’re still friends with people we played with when we were kids.

“You meet so many people throughout your career it hasn’t surprised me, but it has been very humbling. It is surreal.

“I’m not all that comfortable with the attention because I am a shy guy, but it is lovely everyone is there supporting you because there is not many people in my situation who have that.

“It keeps your spirits up.”

He added: “In pre-season I could still kick a ball about, but I was feeling a little slower than normal and more tired.

“I started noticing more problems and took three weeks off work over Christmas hoping that would sort me out.

“I want back to work and two days later was off again.

“It was not until the end of January that it was confirmed.

“Now it is a case of arresting the development of symptoms and slowing the progress of the illness.”

Mark Hams has had an overwhelming response the Neil Hams Benefit Day he has organised, which will include a football match featuring one or two famous faces among a host of familiar non-League footballers from the area.

The former Ks assistant described hearing of his brother’s illness as a bolt from the blue and has pledged to stand by his brother.

“When I first found out I couldn’t think of anything else. It was a massive shock,” add the 38-year-old.

“But this is not about me. I’ve hardened myself to it very quickly. We cannot run away from it. We have to face up to it.

“My brother and I did everything together and we are so close. In the summer holidays it was football, fishing or golf – that is all we did.

“He has been at my shoulder all my life.

“This illness can progress very quickly and he didn’t want to have any regrets and I want to help him do all things he has wanted to do, while he is still able.

“There will be live music, face painting, children’s entertainer and a football match.

“We know so many people and so many people have said they will play, so we may have to tinker with the format a little bit, but it should be a great day.”

The Neil Hams Day will take place at Walton Casuals on May 10 and starts at noon.