Ramon Marimon has revealed how he refused to stop smiling when his English dream threatened to turn into a nightmare.

Now the big Spanish centre-back wants to put a grin on Whitehawk faces by helping them avoid the drop.

Marimon, signed by Pablo Asensio last summer and sidelined by his successor Richard Hill, is on the fifth manager of his first campaign in National League south.

Very early signs are that Andy Woodman could be the best of the lot for him after praising the former Espanyol B man’s efforts against Dartford and Eastbourne Borough in the past week.

Woodman is also pleased with Argentinean midfielder Javier Favarel after giving him his first full 90 minutes of the season in the 1-1 draw with Borough.

It has been a tough winter for both of them but Marimon hopes the best is yet to come He said: “It has been a complicated season but what we decided from the first day we came here was to smile.

“If we didn’t enjoy it, it wouldn’t be worth coming here. I think that is something very positive.

“Richard Hill brought in English players he trusted, which is logical.

“But we kept working, kept smiling. Both Javi and I think we are starting to get reward for our work.”

He admitted: “There have been moments which weren’t fun and made you wonder why we came. But it was my decision to come and I had to get on with it, whatever happened.”

Woodman picked out Marimon for praise in the 3-1 defeat at Dartford.

He said: “The question I asked him during the week was whether that game was a flash in the pan. But, at the moment, in two games he has been fantastic.

The Argus:

Javier Favarel enjoys 90 minutes against Borough in midweek. Picture by David Hunt

“The same with Javi. I told him I didn’t know him from Adam but he could go and stake his claim for a shirt.”

Kevin Lisbie, the one player Woodman knew among the squad he inherited, has left Hawks but Marimon believes the new boss has got his message across well.

He said: “I think the players have understood what he is asking for and there hasn’t been any problem.

“I’ve learnt this season that football here is more physical, more of a battle, more high balls. But I like it. It suits me. I’ve adapted to the style and now I can enjoy it fully.

“We knew at one point we were going to have a difficult time to play.

“But we never stopped training, not with Pablo, Richard Hill, Strevs (Ben Strevens), Reidy (Paul Reid) and now Andy. I never threw in the towel.

“With Javi, we go the gym together, we train together and I knew, if he got the chance, he would take it.”

Marimon, who comes from the Costa Brava, hopes this is not his last season in England.

He said: “I didn’t come for a year. I came to make a career here and to progress.

“That is what I intend to do. If I can’t and I have to go back, I will plan for that. But my first choice is to stay in England.”

Hawks have sigend ex-Crystal Palace defender Christian Scales in time for the home game with high-flying Ebbsfleet.

They have also added right-sided Josh Passley, formerly with Portsmouth and Dagenham and Redbridge, but he will not be up to speed until next week.

Passley scored for the Daggers in their 3-2 FA Cup win at Whitehawk last season.