Larne are swimming with bigger fish in Europe but we are realistic about our maiden group stage adventure, says lifelong fan Andy Scullion

In the early part of the 2017/18 campaign, Larne were struggling in the second-tier and there were fears about the club's existence.

Step forward successful businessman Kenny Bruce who had the vision of Larne winning the Gibson Cup and playing in Europe when purchasing the club.

Those objectives have certainly been met as Larne navigated their way out of the Championship and have since won back-to-back Gibson Cup titles, as well as four County Antrim Shields along the way.

Arguably, the greatest achievement was becoming the first team from Northern Ireland to qualify for the group stage of European football as Tiernan Lynch's men find their feet in the Conference League.

Andy Scullion, who is a Board of Director and life-long fan, says the success at Larne is much more than just lifting titles and progressing in Europe as Bruce’s investment has been spent wisely.

He explained: "What has happened is beyond anything I've ever dreamed of and I'd have taken winning the Irish Cup one day before Kenny arrived.

"However, to achieve what we have and then still be playing European football in December is something out of a computer game. It's incredible where we are.

"I have watched us play matches against the likes of Ballynure Old Boys and no disrespect to them at all, but it's in contrast to then playing live on TNT Sport away to Molde.

"What can you say about Kenny? He has done everything he has promised and more.

"Of course, there was ambition on the pitch but I felt off the pitch he set a very high target in terms of attendance and I thought we would struggle to get more than 800 to 1000 people.

"However, we have an average now of 2000 and he has built the club right, got the right people involved and the work people do behind the scenes that no-one else sees is incredible."

Larne's first venture into group stage European football has been a challenging one so far as they were beaten 3-0 away at Molde, before being outclassed by League of Ireland runners-up Shamrock Rovers at Windsor Park.

Andy says that whilst he would obviously love the results to be different, Larne supporters are fully aware of the step-up in class when the Inver Reds take to the European stage.

"The reality of it is that we are swimming with bigger fish in Europe," he added.

"They are all serious outfits and even some of those we played in qualifying, such as RFS, have far bigger budgets and are quality opposition.

"It is then magnified when you play in the group stage as Molde have several internationals and have played in the group stages of the Champions League.

"Shamrock Rovers looked like an experienced European team when they played us a few weeks ago.

"Obviously we want to do well and pick up results but we also understand that this is our first time at this level and we have to be realistic.

"We have four games left and we will see how it goes and what we can take from it. If we can get a positive result here and there, then hopefully it will boost our coefficient for next year."

Larne native Andy has been to all nine European away games since the club first qualified in 2021/22.

He says going to matches across the continent with fellow supporters are experiences not to be missed.

"There's nothing like it, especially if you come away with a positive result like we got out in Balkani," he beamed.

"Playing in Europe allows you to go to places you'd never travel to. For example, Molde is a lovely place with beautiful scenery but I don't think I'd have been there if Larne didn't play them.

"Supporting your team in Europe are special moments which you aren't promised every year and there is a good cross-section of Larne fans on every trip.

"As long as the players put a shift in and give everything they have, then the fans are happy. The teams at this level can punish you but if you give 100% effort then anything is possible."