Three board members quit Inver Park

Chairman Archie Smyth confirmed the departures and thanked the trio for their contribution to the club and wished them well. He also welcomed Carland – whose arrival is sure to be popular with the supporters, all of whom hold the Belfast man in high esteem.

The departures, which have happened over the past fortnight, Director of Football Raymond Burke, IFA representative Philip McCrea and committee member Eric Cahoon.

New faces will be required in the long-term but, according to Smyth, the workings of the football club will not be unduly inconvenienced by the loss of the board members.

“I’m currently able to act as IFA representative while the role of Director of Football is not one which is a pressing need,” said Smyth.

On the field, Larne suffered a hefty 5-0 defeat at home to Glenavon on Saturday. But manager Tommy Kincaid is certainly not deflated by the result.

“I’m not at all despondent because we had a few players in crucial positions who were, of necessity, playing out of position, the goals were generally down to stupid mistakes – and we could have scored as many as four goals ourselves on a different day.

“Six of our players were not available for this fixture, so we only had four guys on the bench – while Glenavon brought 21 players with them and fielded what was virtually a brand new team for the second half. And it was as strong as the side which did well in the first-half.

“Having trained on Monday and Tuesday night, we will play a game on Saturday away to Derriaghy Cricket Club and then train on Monday night and go to Ballyclare Comrades on Thursday night,” added Kincaid.

Larne’s IFA Championship 1 campaign will kick off on Saturday, August 11 with an away match against Ards.

Kincaid’s men will host Newry City a week later before a trip to Tillysburn Park to take on HW Welders.

Other key dates include a visit to Talylor’s Avenue to face east Antrim rivals Carrick Rangers on December 1. The two teams will meet at Inver Park later the same month, on December 29.

The league season will end with an away game against Limavady United on Saturday, April 27.