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Gareth Fullerton

Larne FC owner Kenny Bruce on 'social media respect' he gets from fans

Kenny Bruce admits he "loves" engaging with Irish League fans on social media, describing 99.9 per cent of supporters as "brilliant".

The charismatic Larne owner enjoys using Twitter to share his thoughts on the Inver Park club, and discuss any topical issues surrounding football in Northern Ireland.

Bruce views it as healthy debate, and he believes it is important for key figures in the game to engage with fans whenever they can.

Read more: Kenny Bruce on Larne Football Club's roadmap, title hopes, Tiernan Lynch and no regrets

"I have to say my engagement with 99.9 per cent of Irish League fans has been brilliant," Bruce said.

"There is no question there is a huge amount of love for the Irish League, and many fans who have been around it for a long time.

"I am relatively new to it, and I get reminded sometimes that I am a new kid on the block. But I love the engagement and the social media side of offering a view and opinion, and I get a lot of respect from other clubs' fans and I enjoy the interaction."

One man who prefers to avoid the glare of social media is Larne boss Tiernan Lynch.

Bruce describes Lynch as a "man of few words" and says he would like to see the first-team boss put himself "slightly more out there".

Bruce added: "Tiernan is definitely someone who is a man of few words. We would want to see him being slightly more out there. We think it is good for the Larne brand to have someone of Tiernan's ability speaking on the club's behalf, or doing interviews with people like yourself.

"We don't push him towards those things, but we encourage him because he is a great ambassador for our football club and someone we are very proud to showcase.

"And the more he can speak to the media and be part of that, then the more success will come our way."

Larne manager Tiernan Lynch (Image: Inpho)

Bruce also described Lynch as a "very special human being" and says the 42-year-old has played a "massive part" in the club's overall progress in the last five years.

"Tiernan is a very special human being. He has been involved in aspects beyond the first team, and he has played a massive part in the infrastructure. He has been a big driving force behind many things at the football club," Bruce said.

"I am very proud to work with Tiernan and I think he is a very super-talented guy. You've got to remember he has only been in management for five years.

"This is his first job and he has taken the club from part-time and bottom of the Championship, to full-time and with a full-time scholarship programme. And the team is winning and challenging for trophies.

"So it is a huge learning curve for him, and there is no question that we remain totally focused in supporting Tiernan and I think he is a person who learns when he makes a mistake and someone who will go from strength to strength and probably end up being more successful in the Irish League."

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