A pivotal chapter in the modern history of Larne Football Club and Northern Irish club football has come to a close. Kenny Bruce, the man whose vision and ambition transformed the club from a lower-league outfit into a powerhouse of Northern Irish football, has officially stepped down from his role as majority shareholder.
His 50% stake in Larne FC has been acquired by Redball Global FC, marking an end to what has been an era of unprecedented success at Inver Park – and the beginning of an exciting new one.
Since first investing in the club in 2018, Bruce has been the beating heart of Larne’s meteoric rise. Under his stewardship and the management of Tiernan Lynch, the club experienced unprecedented success: promotion to the NIFL Premiership, their first-ever top flight league title which they went on to retain the following season and becoming the first side from Northern Ireland to qualify for the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.
All of this while generating significant community engagement, and a dramatic overhaul of the club’s infrastructure including the rejuvenation of Inver Park into one of the best football venues in Northern Ireland.
However, beyond the silverware and the state-of-the-art facilities, Bruce’s tenure was defined by something deeper: belief. He believed in Larne when few others did. And through sheer will, investment, and strategic planning, he made others believe too.
Now, with his departure from the boardroom, Bruce has passed the torch to Redball Global FC, a sports investment group spearheaded by seasoned executives Nick Giannotti and Eric Perez. The move signifies not just a change in ownership, but a shift in direction – one that promises to build on Bruce’s legacy while charting new ground.
“I have always said that when it came time to hand over my shareholding in the club it would be to people who could give Larne FC a competitive edge moving forward,” Bruce said in his farewell statement published on the Larne FC website. “I am firmly of the belief this is the case.”
Bruce’s confidence in Giannotti and Perez stems from their track records. Giannotti is known for strategic growth in European football ventures, while Perez has led professional sports organisations across the UK and North America.
For fans, staff, and players, this transition is bittersweet. Few individuals in the modern game in Northern Ireland leave behind the kind of legacy that Bruce has at Larne.
As Minority Shareholder Night Train Veeck put it, “We also want to extend our deepest thanks to Kenny Bruce, whose extraordinary vision and commitment to the club brought Larne to where it is today – not just on the pitch, but across our entire community.”
That community impact – from grassroots initiatives to matchday experiences – remains one of Bruce’s proudest achievements.
One thing that will ease the uncertainty of Larne supporters is the fact that Bruce has stated that despite his decision to sell his majority shareholding, will continue to contribute to ongoing projects, including plans for a new main stand at Inver Park, ensuring his fingerprints remain on the club’s evolving identity.
New co-owner Nick Giannotti was gracious in acknowledging Bruce’s legacy, saying: “The club is in a strong position because of him, and his investments in infrastructure. It’s very exciting to join a club with a great community, a great ground, great partners, and more.”
For Larne and their supporters, they will hope that this is not a goodbye from Kenny Bruce, rather that it is a turning of the page. The club stands stronger than ever, with a professional setup and a growing fanbase.
As Larne prepare to embark on a new era under Redball’s stewardship, the key question is whether the club can continue to flourish without the day to day influence and drive of Bruce especially when he has been synonymous with the club’s renaissance and unprecedented success of the last decade.
Even if Bruce Era as fans know it may be over, his legacy will be synonymous with everyone at Inver Park and the town of Larne for many years to come.
Callum McFadden 