'His mum and I are his biggest fans': Irish League manager's pride as son settles into life with Premier League club
Larne manager Gary Haveron beams with pride when talking about his son Alfie Mulvenna's transfer to Premier League outfit Crystal Palace – declaring “there's nothing I love more than watching him play football”.
Haveron savoured Gibson Cup celebrations alongside his teenage son on the Inver Park pitch after leading Larne to their third Premiership title in four seasons last term – Alfie’s final act as an Inver Red before making a dream move to England.
Northern Ireland U17 international Alfie progressed through the Irish FA’s JD Academy and made a senior club debut during September’s Senior Shield triumph over Queen's University.
The 16-year-old also featured in Larne’s run to the Irish Cup semi-finals, coming off the bench in a sixth round win away to Warrenpoint Town.
Haveron and partner Lisa will now travel back and forward to London as the proud parents support Alfie on the next step of his journey, following in the footsteps of Craig Farquhar and Kofi Balmer by swapping Inver Park for Selhurst Park.
Alfie has the perfect role model in father Gary, who earned a move to Wolves almost 30 years ago before spending time on the books of Bolton Wanderers and Yeovil Town.
"He’s doing really well and he has settled in,” said Haveron. “He's been away a month now.
"Alfie was in the JD Academy so we are used to him being away from home, but I'm used to having him around at the weekends, it’s definitely a lot different.
"His mum and I are incredibly proud of him, he's living the dream.
"He's settled in really well, Crystal Palace are unbelievable in how they look after him, how they protect him.
"The coaches are very keen on him and very happy with him. It's up to him to make the most of the opportunities he's got.
"His mum and I will continue to be his biggest fans.
"Lisa was over there at the weekend – we were training last weekend for the European game so I wasn’t able to make it over.
"Hopefully when the season gets up and running I can get the odd opportunity to get across to go and support him.
"There's nothing I love more than watching him play football.”
Mulvenna is amongst a batch of talented Irish League youngsters who have made summer moves to England.
Glenavon’s Alfie Pollock recently joined Sunderland alongside Glentoran's Adam Nelson, while Zak Magowan (West Ham United), Cameron Reid (Charlton Athletic) and Mason Ayre (Nottingham Forest) also earned dream transfers.
Slightly older players have used the Premiership as a platform to showcase their skills too with Lee Bonis joining ADO Den Haag after winning two league titles at Larne while Crusaders striker Fraser Bryden signed a three-year deal at Chesterfield on Monday.
Haveron believes the nature of the Irish League is ideal for developing talent and providing a pathway to opportunities.
"It's brilliant,” he added. “The Irish League market is huge.
"It's not just kids – Alfie's only 16 – but even if you look at some of the older players getting opportunities to move across, you see what Fraser Bryden has done.
"It shows that if you come into the Irish League and you do well, you can earn opportunities further afield.
"Craig Farquhar is across there playing, Kofi Balmer moved from us, Lee Bonis, Oisin Smyth went,Terry Devlin, even going back, Michael Smith Gareth McAuley, Liam Boyce – the list goes on and on.
"Guys that come in and get the experience of Irish League football before moving have very successful careers because of the grounding that the Irish League gives you – the competitive nature of the league, the combative nature of the league.
"It sets you up for a professional career and it's a great pathway.
"Kids who don't go at 16 shouldn't get demoralised by that or feel that it’s done – go into the Irish League, keep working hard to get into your first team.
"The pathway can be open for you if you're a young player and you're hungry enough, dedicated enough, and take the opportunity.”