History makers bring Larne 'into the big league'

Ellis and Margaret are Larne FC fans

In Larne, fans and residents have been reacting to the historic win by the football club last night.

Larne FC progressed on a 4-3 aggregate score in a game with VAR decisions, a red card and even a hat trick for Larne striker Andy Ryan.

The Inver Reds face trips to Norway and Slovenia as well as a mouth-watering home match against Shamrock Rovers in their debut Uefa Conference League campaign after the draw was conducted on Friday.

And people in the town can hardly contain their excitement and pride.

'Massive for the town'

Helen runs a local bakery

Helen runs the local bakery and said that, on Friday morning, her Larne-themed biscuits “sold out”.

She said she tries to get to matches when she can, and that she was “over the moon for the team”.

She told BBC News NI: “I’m absolutely delighted for the club. It’s massive for the town. We’ve all been on the journey for the last five years with the club”.

Helen said that, on match days, you can hear the “roar of the crowd” from the bakery.

“A few years ago, that didn’t happen”.

For Helen, one of the biggest positives is the “inclusivity” of the club. She also said that it doesn’t matter who Larne draw. “We know that they’re into the big league now.

"It's amazing, absolutely fantastic. We’ve all been on the journey for the last five years with the club.

"History is definitely being made," she added.

"You can hear the roar of the crowd here. A few years ago, that didn’t happen. Even last night, everyone was dressed in their flags and their scarves. It’s so inclusive, and that’s what’s great about it."

'Good to see Larne do well'

Tracy says she is “really excited” about the draw.

Tracy, who was at last night’s match with her family, told BBC News NI that the town is “buzzing”.

“It’s good for the town to see Larne do well, and not get a bad reputation as it usually does.”

Tracy said she was “really excited” about the draw.

Elizabeth, meanwhile, said the success was positive for the town. “Anything that brings limelight to Larne is a bonus”.

Isabelle expects that the team will enjoy widespread support. “A lot of people will go down to Belfast to watch this”.

Andrew is originally from Essex but lives in Larne

Michael told BBC News NI that, though not a football fan, he thinks Larne’s qualification for the Conference League is “absolutely fantastic”.

“They’ve done more for this town than anybody else has done for it in years".

Owen is excited to see Larne draw Shamrock Rovers. He expects the close proximity of the teams to add to the occasion. “It’ll be a good game at Windsor”.

For Andrew, who is originally from Essex, Larne’s qualification for the Conference League is “good for the town”.

“There was a sea of red everywhere last night”.

One shop worker said that every customer in town was “absolutely ecstatic”.

Stephen and his family have followed Larne all over Europe

In the local newsagents, Stephen told BBC News NI that people in the town are feeling “ten foot tall”.

“It’s been a quite journey," he added.

He and his family have followed Larne all over Europe, although he admits that Windsor Park will be a “big place to fill”

Margaret and Ellis are avid Larne fans. They say they are “flabbergasted” by Larne’s historic qualification.

“It’s not sunk in yet” said Margaret. “It’s massive for the town, we’re a very tight wee community.”

“It brings young and old together”, adds Ellis.