Dover Athletic was always my priority says Baller League UK player Alfie Matthews after winning promotion in Isthmian Premier play-offs

Play-off hero Alfie Matthews believes his Dover performances have ended any doubts about his priorities.

Matthews has finished the season playing in the UK’s inaugural Baller League every Monday, as well as featuring in Dover’s promotion push.

But after scoring twice in the Isthmian Premier semi-final play-off at Billericay and then netting again in Monday’s final at Dartford, Matthews believes he’s put that talk to bed.

“Dover’s always been my number one,” insisted Matthews, who was playing through the pain barrier after breaking his wrist in the Good Friday league game with Dartford.

“I think my performances have spoken for themselves and that’s not me being big-headed.

“I feel like I’ll always put in 100 per cent for the club and I have seen it as an extra day of playing football which has personally helped me on the pitch.”

Matthews has gone the extra mile for Dover this season, living near Braintree he’s prepared for home games by staying at The Blazing Donkey hotel in Sandwich.

It’s meant he’s fresh for matchdays and Dover have certainly felt the benefit with his excellent displays in midfield.

“Without Richard and Sherry Martin at the Blazing Donkey my performances wouldn’t have been like this and I want people to know that,” said Matthews.

“Sherry, bless her heart, passed away not long ago. But everybody at the Blazing Donkey, without them I wouldn’t be here at the moment.

“I could see it was going to be a good season, you can see the effort the boys have put in on and off the pitch has been unbelievable.

“Words can’t explain what it feels like, I’m just going to celebrate with the boys and probably not sleep or take the kit off for a few days, either!”

Matthews’ free-kicks were the talk of the semi-final so few