Larne CEO Perez 'in it for the long haul'

"If you did that [all-Ireland league] you have the advantage commercially which adds to the market, but we'd lose the European places, so what do you want to prioritise - Europe or growing a bigger league?," he questioned.

"You'd need to bring a big broadcasting deal or sponsorship to make up for the loss of European spots.

"Going all-Ireland also increases expenses with travel and hotels so the budget would have to increase to be competitive with some really big clubs down there."

Outspending their rivals is not the vision Perez has for Larne, but instead balancing success with sustainability.

While he insists they won't live beyond their means, Perez concedes that should "the league and support grow, we will grow the budget" and having overseen the support at Truro grow significantly in his three years there, feels Larne has similar potential.

"We're not going to be spending big money because, just like at Truro City where we won the league with one sixth of the other teams' budget, it's about people and a chemistry which we have at Larne and that can supersede what others are paying," he stressed.

"We're 100% here for the long haul - I don't do short term.

"When we do move on, if the club is not in a substantially better place than it is now, I will have failed and I don't fail."

Few expect Larne to fail in their quest to lift the Gibson Cup this weekend.

Hosting a Dungannon Swifts side who may have one eye on next week's Irish Cup final suggests Gary Haveron's team hold all the aces, but football can produce the unexpected and Perez admits "the anticipation and tense feeling is palpable".

"We know what we have to do, but you have to go out and get it done," he added.

"It's been an unbelievable season, the boys have pulled together. We were not favourite to win it this year, so what that boys have done has been unbelievable and I'm looking forward to a very exciting day on Saturday."