Jeff Hughes has admitted that the joy he felt as Larne secured the Irish Premiership title was also mixed with a little bit of sadness that he wasn't playing his part out on the pitch.
Hughes had to watch on from the stands at Seaview as the Invermen secured their first-ever Irish Premiership title thanks to a 2-0 win over Crusaders last Friday night.
The 37-year-old was forced to hang his boots up prematurely due to injury as he announced his retirement from the game back in February.
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Hughes has been cheering on his hometown club in the remaining games as they closed in on the Gibson Cup and watched the deciding fixture with the rest of the Larne fans.
And whilst he enjoyed the celebrations at the full time whistle he revealed he felt slight trepidation joining he teammates on the pitch at the end.
"There were some mixed emotions, it was hard," said the former Northern Ireland international.
"I was standing over there with the fans and I wasn't even sure whether to go on the pitch or not because as a player you want to feel you've earned it, but then you have to remember up until I got hurt I was involved in every game.
"You always want to be in the middle of it don't you.
"It's worse watching than playing! I really did find it hard.
"The build up to games was difficult because I was standing about watching the players warm-up and that's something I haven't been used to.
"At the same time now it's fantastic to finally get it over the line.
"I just never thought this would happen, you always believed it would, but believing and doing it are two different things."
Hughes is now preparing for the trophy presentation on Friday night as Larne entertain Linfield in their final home game.
It is the start of a very exciting few months for the Invermen and Hughes cannot wait.
"It's going to be unbelievable, I might need a couple of beers just to calm my nerves beforehand," he said.
"It will be brilliant to get the trophy, I can't wait to be honest, it will be a big celebration.
"We now have the Champions League qualifiers to look forward to as well.
"I might see if the gaffer will stick me on the bench and I could limp on in the 88th minute!
"All joking aside, there's that much to look forward to this summer.
"Pre-season is brilliant because you look forward to seeing who's coming in and the changes in the other teams.
"I can now sit and watch it and enjoy it. Champions League football at Inver Park though is something I never thought would happen."
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