West Ham United have won a European trophy! If someone said such a thing to you a year or two ago, you would probably assume the person who said it was playing a video game or trying to be funny. But in June 2023, that is reality! Jarrod Bowen’s last-gasp winner delighted thousands of supporters and etched the club’s name into eternity. The club from East London won its first European trophy since 1965.Bowen’s last-gasp effort earns Hammers a Conference League title!The Irons’ captain Declan Rice wasn’t short of praise for his manager David Moyes. Despite narrowly avoiding relegation this season, Rice labelled the Scotsman as the Hammers’ greatest-ever manager.”I want to say a big mention to the manager. There have been times this year where he’s been tested. There was a period when the fanbase wanted him out because the results weren’t going well. But if you actually look at his time at this club… I think he’s up there as West Ham’s best-ever manager now. Honestly, it has to be said.” ‚Declan might have played his last game for the club, however. There sis a lot of interest in the classy midfielder, but if he ends up leaving, he would have gone with style – with a gold medal around his neck.’West Ham are the best club in the world’On #BBCBreakfast it’s all nearly too much for one young fan after West Ham won their first major trophy for 43 years with Europa Conference League final victory over Fiorentinahttps://t.co/7pglNIZL19 pic.twitter.com/mHvlrmI35V— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) June 8, 2023 Many West Ham fans travelled to Prague knowing they wouldn’t be able to get a match ticket. They wanted to feel the atmosphere anyway. More than 20,000 supporters had spent the day partying in the Czech capital’s Old Town Square despite the London side only being allocated 6,000 tickets for the match.West Ham fan park scenes, Prague #coyi 📸 @RagsMartel pic.twitter.com/OAR4Wq8HB9— ITV London (@itvlondon) June 7, 2023 The jubilant celebrations didn’t prevent incidents with the police, however. Some Enlgish fans clashed with the law after the game, when they tried confiscate a lit flare in the Old Town area of the city. Riot police stormed a group after they lit a second flare, with fans responding by throwing bottles at the officers. Thankfully, the incidents didn’t escalate.Match-winner Bowen was asked if he’s looking forward to playing in the UEFA Europa League next season, but it couldn’t have been further from his mind.”No, not really. I’m thinking of the party tonight. I want to celebrate with these fans, with my team-mates, my staff, my dad, my brother, my two mates are on the front row. For them to see it, and listen to it.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7306522##And big attacker Michail Antonio was delighted to have two local guys, Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal, organising the celebrations.”Normally, I arrange the team parties, but we’ve got two Czech boys here so I’ve had to pass over the baton today. They’ve got high standards to live up to. As long as there’s alcohol, I’m going to enjoy.”
