Delighted fans journeyed from Brentwood and beyond to see West Ham parade their first major trophy in decades.
West Ham fans celebrated their 2-1 Europa Conference League victory in Stratford yesterday (June 8) with an open top bus parade, including star players Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen, Saïd Benrahma and manager David Moyes.
Bowen scored a dramatic 90th minute winner to send Hammers fans across the world into ecstasy.
Irons fans from east London, Brentwood, Hertfordshire and beyond flocked to Stratford to celebrate the club’s first major trophy since their 1980 FA Cup win against London rivals Arsenal.
It had been an even longer wait for a European title, an occasion supporters relished.
Eddie Collins, from Brentwood, said: “We are so happy to be here celebrating – it’s been 43 years since West Ham last won.
Eddie’s friend, Jamie Bowler, added: “Oh it was absolutely beautiful, 43 years of hurt, but today is amazing for us.”
RELATED NEWS – RECAP: Thousands turn out for West Ham open top bus parade
The team celebrated on the balcony of Stratford Town Hall, taking turns to lift the trophy and make impassioned speeches to the crowd.
Fans from further afield also made the trip, with Hammers of all ages basking in the delight of cup glory.
Many Irons outside of London had to brave the motorway to join the festivities.
One season ticket holder from Hertfordshire travelled an hour and a half to see the parade while his friends stayed at home battling hangovers.
“I’ve been a Hammer as long as I can remember. The best part of today was coming down and realising just how big this fanbase is,” he said.
“This is what it’s all about.”
This reporter spoke to many young fans about their favourite players but one name kept popping up: Saïd Benrahma.
West Ham enjoys an international fanbase which has gone as far as New Zealand.
One fan said he became an Iron while on shore leave as a seaman in Canning Town.
“It was only a bus ride from Upton Park,” said Peter Hodgson, of Christchurch. “It was almost impossible not to become a West Ham supporter after that.”
“The class and the family values of the club is what has made today so great,” he added.
With West Ham’s fortunes having massively improved towards the end of the season, Hammers fans will be hopeful their captain Declan Rice stays.
“Two more years,” came the chant from adoring Hammers, aimed at Rice.
The skipper kissed the trophy and held it aloft in front of the thousands in attendance.
He said he was “lost for words” after the European success.
He told the supporters: “These are the best fans in the world for me. I didn’t expect this many people here tonight.”
But whether the England international stays or goes, Hammers fans have every reason to be hopeful following their European success and ending their season in the best possible way.
It was a day Hammers young and old will never forget, in what all will hope is the first of many trophies to come.
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