While Premier League stars are only just settling back into the domestic grind, players at smaller clubs across Europe have already spent much of the summer chasing continental glory. For Northern Irish champions Larne, that pursuit has meant a whirlwind schedule of European qualifiers, unpredictable travel, and the kind of experience that leaves a permanent mark.
Larne began their Champions League qualifying campaign in late June, with defender Dan Bent converting a decisive penalty in the second leg against San Marino's Tre Fiori to advance. Victory set up a daunting encounter with Red Star Belgrade, former European champions, who ultimately dispatched Larne 9-0 on aggregate. Despite the lopsided scoreline, Bent described the tie as one of the defining moments of his career.
"Red Star was probably the biggest game in the club's history," Bent said. "When the draw came out, we were ecstatic. You want to play those games in those stadiums... There were 27,000 fans and the funny thing is, for them, that's a medium-sized crowd. The stadium was only half-full."
He acknowledged the gulf in quality between the two sides. "Red Star were just another level. You don't realise until you're in amongst it. You do your best, but sometimes there are gaps that are hard to bridge. But to play in that competition, at that ground, against a team as big as that, was amazing. I'll remember it for the rest of my life."
Elimination from the Champions League sent Larne into the Europa League qualifiers, where they lost narrowly in extra time to Georgian side Iberia 1999. That defeat has dropped them into the Conference League qualifying path, where they now face Gibraltar's Lincoln Red Imps over two legs — a tie carrying huge significance for both clubs. Two years ago, Larne beat the same opponents at this stage to reach the Conference League group phase, earning €2.6m in prize money, a transformative sum compared to the roughly £50,000 awarded for winning the Northern Irish league title.
The first leg holds personal significance for Bent, who spent time playing in Gibraltar for Magpies and Manchester 62 before joining Lincoln Red Imps, eventually earning 17 caps for the Gibraltar national team.
Bent explained the unique challenges of navigating Europe's qualifying rounds, where fixtures and opponents can change dramatically week to week. "It's a privilege to play in Champions League qualifiers but a lot of uncertainty comes with that," he said. "One minute, we could be heading to Rangers or Slovakia, the next we're going to Gibraltar or Cyprus... Logistically, it is pretty crazy. You have to plan for all eventualities."
That unpredictability extends beyond the pitch. Bent, who has a partner and two young children, spoke candidly about the toll of frequent travel. "She's very supportive and understands, but it doesn't get any easier knowing I'm away for three days, then the week after I could be flying out again to another country," he said.
Despite the demands, the rewards — both financial and experiential — keep players motivated. Larne's squad includes a mix of European veterans and hungry newcomers eager to make an impact. Bent himself will make his 21st European appearance when Larne travel to face Lincoln Red Imps, while goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson has around 40 continental appearances to his name.
"That's where the hard work of winning the league previously comes to fruition," Bent said, reflecting on how Larne's domestic success fuels their European ambitions. "You go through the whole year to win the league, to make sure you'll have a summer of European football."
Larne opened their league title defence with a goalless draw away at Coleraine, and their upcoming second leg against Lincoln Red Imps will mark their tenth match across five competitions this season — a testament to the relentless schedule facing clubs outside Europe's traditional powerhouses.
Based on reporting from The Guardian (Playing in the Shadows, Gavin Willacy).