DEAN LEACOCK has no regrets about dropping into non-league football with Whitehawk as he chases one of the few achievements in the game to have escaped him.

The 31-year-old will be at the heart of defence of sixth-tier Hawks take on Dagenham and Redbridge in the second round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Leacock was labelled the next Rio Ferdinand when he made his professional debut at the age of 18.

He played in the Premier League for both Fulham and Derby, captaining the latter numerous times during 117 appearances for the club.

England recognition came in the form of under-18, under-19 and under-20 caps.

Injuries, though, proved a curse on his career, preventing Leacock making the progress to the full national side that some had predicted in those early days.

And an FA Cup run eluded him, unless you count getting to the fifth round with Derby before crashing out to Plymouth Argyle during the 2006-07 season.

When he was released by League One Crawley Town last May, there were not too many suitors interested in Leacock.

He had played just 21 minutes in the second half of last season as Crawley were relegated after being sidelined by a groin injury.

Via training at Carlisle, Leacock joined Whitehawk in October and now, in addition to a promotion challenge, Leacock is involved in an FA Cup run which is making history for the club.

In fact, things have not turned out too badly for the South Londoner who has also played for Coventry, Leyton Orient and Notts County.

Leacock told The Argus: “I had a really bad injury. My tendon came away from a bone in my groin and at Crawley I didn’t know if my leg would hold up.

“I went up to Carlisle in the summer. Keith Curle was an old manager of mine and to be fair he helped me a lot, he let me train with the lads, use the gym, use the facilities.

“I have nothing but high praise for him but in the end I wanted to start playing football and the gaffer (Whitehawk boss Steven King) called me up, saying ‘I want you to come down and play some games’. I came down to train, I enjoyed it, I am enjoying it and I hope that can continue because I love football and always have.

“It is coming near the end of my career but I have nothing but respect for what the gaffer has done here (at Whitehawk).”

Leacock has been impressed by the quality of the side King has assembled at the Enclosed Ground.

Appearing in the first round of the Cup for the first time in their history, Hawks outplayed Lincoln City to earn a trip to Dagenham in the second round.

Leacock said: “The mentality is different here, it is not day in, day out. We train twice a week and have the game on a Saturday, we don’t get as much time together but come to Saturdays you can see we have top quality players, players who can play at higher levels.

“The gaffer could probably manage at a higher level. He has all the credentials, does everything right.

“It has been a joy being down here. I have played at some good clubs but I am enjoying my time here and I’m looking forward to the Dagenham game.

“The furthest I got was the fifth round with Derby when we lost away to Plymouth and I gave away a penalty. I have not had great times (in the FA Cup) but it is a great competition. We have got a great chance of getting to the third round and meeting one of the big boys. For a club like this it would be huge, money wise and everything.”

Experienced head Leacock would love to finally savour an extended run in the FA Cup and he believes Hawks can cause an upset.

He added: “We will go there and we will fancy ourselves, I have seen Dagenham play this season, I have a couple of friends there. We are all looking forward to the game and will hopefully a good win.”