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Steven Crawford

Albert Watson hails Larne's journey to league title success

Albert Watson hailed the journey Larne has made over the last five-and-a-half years as they prepare to be presented with the League title.

The Invermen will pick up the Gibson Cup following their game against Linfield on Friday evening.

It will be a special night for everyone associated with the club, none more so than owner Kenny Bruce, who Watson paid tribute to for delivering on his promises.

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"It's massive to win the title here because you know where it came from," said the defender.

"There was investment, not only in the squad but in the infrastructure as well, which was massive for us going forward.

"The club has gone from winning the Championship, I came in the year after.

"We then qualified for Europe, and Kenny was patient, he knew that this just wasn't going to happen overnight.

"He stuck with it and kept going and going, everyone was brilliant to drive us on and keep us focused on what would lie ahead and what we were capable of.

"We went out this year and showed that we could not only win the league but win it convincingly.

"I'm pleased for everyone at the club - from the top to the bottom, they have put so much work in.

"The fact that Kenny said a few years ago that we would hear the Champions League music at Inver Park, and he's been proven right.

"Anything he's said to me he's always kept to his word, and he has kept to his word with this too."

Watson also praised boss Tiernan Lynch for guiding the club from the foot of the Championship to Premiership title winning success.

"It's been an amazing journey here for Tiernan when he came in and hadn't 2d, to winning the Championship and now winning the Premiership, which over a six or seven year period is unbelievable," he said.

"That's credit to him and the work he puts in everyday, it's unreal.

"That's the leadership you aspire to and follow, and you need that going forward.

"People asked questions of us after the semi-final defeat, and rightly so because we were flat and we weren't good enough.

"But we came back and answered them with the last three performances.

"We've managed to seal the league which was our main objective at the start of the season."

Albert Watson celebrates with Tomas Cosgrove (©INPHO/Stephen Hamilton)

Watson along with another Larne stalwart, Jeff Hughes, will now play a role in shaping the future of the club as they take up positions within the Academy.

"Next year we're going full-time with the Under-13s up to Under-16s is massive for the club going forward," he said.

"Below that we have Jeff Hughes coming in to head up the young ones, which again is huge for the club.

"Then the money which is available from being in Europe and playing in the Champions League qualifiers will be such a boost.

"That's what we're aiming to do every year as it can keep clubs like ourselves ticking over for five or six years."

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