Dan Bent returns to Gibraltar as Larne chase Conference League group stage

Larne defender Dan Bent has played in two European competitions this summer and will face his former club Lincoln Red Imps in the first leg of a UEFA Conference League tie in Gibraltar on Thursday, a fixture that could deliver important funds for Larne.

The club began its European campaign while the World Cup reached the last-16 stage, with Larne starting their continental run on the day Argentina beat Egypt, and Dan Bent’s penalty in the second leg a week later helping them overcome Tre Fiori of San Marino in Champions League qualifying. Larne were then handed a tie against former European champions Red Star Belgrade and were beaten 9-0 on aggregate by the Serbian side, an experience Bent described as unforgettable: "Red Star was probably the biggest game in the club’s history," he says. "Red Star were just another level... I’ll remember it for the rest of my life." After that exit Larne dropped into Europa League qualifying, where they were narrowly beaten in extra time by Georgian club Iberia 1999, and now they face the Gibraltan champions over two legs for a place in the Conference League group stage.

Bent warned of the logistical and tactical challenges that come with early-summer European qualifiers, saying: "It’s a privilege to play in Champions League qualifiers but a lot of uncertainty comes with that," and adding: "In early June you know your first Champions League game would be around the first week of July, so you can gear up for that. But after that, each week will just change depending on results." He outlined the rapid shifts in opponents and preparation: "One minute, we could be heading to Rangers or Slovakia, the next we’re going to Gibraltar or Cyprus... You need to pick up things quickly. It’s a quick turnaround. Logistically, it is pretty crazy. You have to plan for all eventualities."

Bent also spoke about the personal strain of the schedule on his family: "I’ve got a partner and two children and it is hard for them," he says. "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. It helps when you have a good family around you who understand the demands of football. They know it’s a positive thing because not many people are able to play in Champions League qualifiers." He is accustomed to life on the move, having grown up in Kent, started at Gillingham, been released in 2015, taken a scholarship in America and played college and semi-professional soccer in Georgia, Ohio and South Carolina before moving to Gibraltar to play for Magpies, Manchester 62 and Lincoln Red Imps, where he spent long enough to become eligible for the national team and earn 17 caps.

The tie carries significant financial upside: Larne beat the Red Imps at this stage two years ago to reach the Conference League group phase and secured €2.6m in prize money. By comparison, clubs receive around £50,000 for winning the league in Northern Ireland and just £20,000 for winning the cup, figures that make progression into the group stage transformative for smaller clubs and produce substantial player bonuses. Bent described the pathway through UEFA’s tiers and the reward of long-term league success: "That’s where the hard work of winning the league previously comes to fruition," he says. "You go through the whole year to win the league, to make sure you’ll have a summer of European football. If you go out of the Champions League, you’re going to be dropping down and having a few games. I do enjoy that."

Bent will add to a growing personal European tally when Larne visit Gibraltar, saying: "I’m probably up there in terms of European experience," and noting he will play in Europe for the 21st time on Thursday night. He highlighted his teammates’ experience mix, adding: "Our goalkeeper, Rohan Ferguson, has something like 40 appearances in Europe. We have boys who’ve been great servants in the league but haven’t played a lot of European football, and young lads with that fresh hunger, wanting to play in it. It’s a well-balanced group." Larne began their title defence with a goalless draw at Coleraine over the weekend and the second leg against Lincoln Red Imps next week will be their 10th match in five competitions this season.

First leg in Gibraltar is on Thursday, with the return fixture scheduled for next week and a place in the Conference League group stage and its associated prize money awaiting the winner over the two legs.