Skipper Ali Brogdon admitted his pride knew no bounds after Wimbledon retained the MHL Premier Division title last weekend.

A 3-2 win over Holcombe, who had completed the domestic season unbeaten, in Saturday’s play-off, was followed by a shootout win over Reading in the final on Sunday.

It means that the Dons, who had finished fourth in the table, not only recorded consecutive championships, but they will also be playing in next season’s Euro Hockey League looking to improve on this season’s one-match debut appearance.

But for the time being, Brogdon and co can enjoy their domestic success, and the captain revealed they all knew the magnitude of defending their title prior to the weekend’s action.

The GB and England international, who is Rio bound, said: “In all my hockey experience, this is right up there.

“Winning last year, with it being our first time in the play-offs and only our second season in the Premier Division, it was a pretty incredible achievement.

“This time round, with the experience we have, we knew we could do it, and we spoke about retaining the title before the weekend and just how special that would be.”

He added: “People were writing us off against Holcombe because they were unbeaten, but when we played them in the league we had not been able to field our strongest side.

“We knew if our best team was playing, we could come out on top if we got the performance right.

“Then to win the final in that manner in a shootout, meant it was extra special and it was an incredibly proud moment for me.”

Brogdon, who took over the captain’s armband in the summer from coach Ben Hawes, is now turning his attention to the Champions Trophy with Great Britain in June, and then the Rio Olympics.

However, the Dons’ return to Europe at the first attempt has not been put on the back-burner.

Brogdon said: “Playing Amsterdam [Dons lost 1-0 to be knocked out at the first hurdle] in the Euro Hockey League this season was a tough game.

“But we were also disappointed because we did not give a good account of ourselves.”

He added: “However, it gave us that experience to win the play-offs, and it whetted the appetite to go back to Europe and hopefully learn from last time and go further in the competition.”