Whitehawk captain Charlie Walker knows how close the club were to going national nine years ago.

He was in the Borehamwood side who beat them 2-1 after extra-time in the Conference South play-off final.

That drama and the FA Cup replay defeat at home to Dagenham and Redbridge which cost them a trip to play Everton at Goodison Park can probably be seen as pivotal results ahead of Hawks’ subsequent tough years.

But Walker believes they are back on the up as they go into their second campaign back in the Isthmian League premier division.

He told The Argus: “In my opinion it has always been a sleeping giant.

“They had those years when they progressed through the leagues, got into Conference South and got to the play-off final.

“Really, they should probably have gone up that year.

“I know that because I played in that game – against them!

“I know exactly what happened in that game and, realistically, they were probably the better team.

“It was a bit of a shame the way the drop-off went.

“But it has got a great fanbase and owners who are clearly invested in it and have been for a few years.

“By the sounds of it and from things that are going on behind the scenes, they are looking to push on again and take the club further up the pyramid.”

Hawks continue their pre-season programme when they visit Maidstone tomorrow.