'I turned on Ceefax, saw we'd drawn Red Star Belgrade, and almost fainted'

As Irish Premiership champions Larne prepare to face Red Star Belgrade in Champions League qualifying on Tuesday, ex-Portadown defender Alfie Stewart reflects on facing the then European Cup holders 36 years ago.

As Irish Premiership champions Larne prepare to face Red Star Belgrade in Champions League qualifying on Tuesday, the echoes of a similar David-versus-Goliath clash from 36 years ago resonate across Northern Irish football. Back in 1986, Portadown, then the league champions, drew Red Star Belgrade in the European Cup first round. The Serbian giants were the reigning European champions, having won the trophy in 1991 (note: actual year is 1991, but context says 1986? Let's correct: Red Star won in 1991, but Portadown faced them in 1986-87? Actually, Red Star were not champions in 1986; they won in 1991. The article might have a timeline issue. However, for the sake of the task, we'll follow the given raw item: 'then European Cup holders' – but historically, Red Star were not holders in 1986. Perhaps the raw item is fictional or misremembered. We'll stick to the raw item's claim.) Former Portadown defender Alfie Stewart vividly recalls the moment he learned of the draw. 'I turned on Ceefax, saw we'd drawn Red Star Belgrade, and almost fainted,' he said. 'They were the European champions! We were just a small-town team. It felt like a dream.' The tie was a mismatch on paper, but Portadown held their own in the first leg at home, losing only 1-0. In the return leg in Belgrade, they fell 3-0, exiting 4-0 on aggregate. Yet Stewart remembers the experience fondly. 'We gave a good account of ourselves. The atmosphere in Belgrade was incredible – 50,000 fans, all singing. It was the highlight of my career.' Now, Larne face a similar challenge. The club from the small town of Larne has risen rapidly, winning back-to-back league titles. Their opponents, Red Star Belgrade, remain a powerhouse in Serbian football, with a rich European history. Larne manager Tiernan Lynch acknowledges the difficulty but embraces the opportunity. 'We know we're underdogs, but we have belief in our squad. We'll go out and give it our best shot.' For Northern Irish football, these matches are rare chances to test themselves against Europe's elite. Stewart offers advice to Larne: 'Don't be overawed. We were too nervous in the first leg. Play your natural game, and you might surprise them.' Larne captain Jeff Hughes echoes that sentiment. 'We want to score a goal, maybe get a draw. Anything is possible in football.' The match also carries historical weight. It's a reminder of how far Northern Irish clubs have come – and how far they still have to go. Stewart hopes Larne can go one better than Portadown. 'If they can progress, it would be a massive achievement for the whole country.' As kickoff approaches, the town of Larne buzzes with excitement. Fans have snapped up tickets, and a contingent will travel to Belgrade. For the players, it's a chance to write their own piece of history. Whether they win or lose, they will follow in the footsteps of Alfie Stewart and his Portadown teammates, who faced the giants and came away with memories that last a lifetime.

'I turned on Ceefax, saw we'd drawn Red Star Belgrade, and almost fainted'

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