Gary and the squad have put the uncertainty over the play-offs to one side and are fully coursed on the London Senior Cup final on Thursday night.

The match is against Tooting & Mitcham United at Metropolitan Police, kick-off 7.30 pm.

Hendon have played in five London Senior Cup finals in the last 10 seasons, winning two (against Croydon Athletic – 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw – in 2009 and Kingstonian – 2-0 – in 2012), and losing three (against Fisher Athletic – 3-2 – in 2006, Tooting in 2008 – also 3-2 – and Wingate & Finchley – 3-1 – in 2011). In the old Amateur days, Hendon won the Cup in 1964 and 1969, as well as losing the final on eight occasions.

In the 2008 final, also at Imber Court, Tooting scored twice in the first half, through Jon-Henry Hayden, with Danny Dyer equalising for the Greens. Paul Vines made it 3-1 in the second half, before Brian Haule reduced the arrears from the penalty spot.

Previewing the Final, Hendon manager Gary McCann said, "This was a game, we thought, which might come in the way of the playoff games. Now, with the delay in the playoffs, it has become a really good game for us because it is a competitive fixture.

"I am sure Margate and Dulwich will be trying to arrange friendlies as they wait, but you can’t imitate a competitive fixture in a friendly.

"We do take this competition seriously and we enjoy playing in the London Senior Cup, which has brought us a lot of success recently.. This is, after all, our sixth final in the last 10 seasons."