West Ham United have confirm the details, timings and route for their Europa Conference League trophy parade.
No you are not dreaming West Ham fans, we have won our first major trophy for 43 years and first European trophy since 1965.
A breathtaking last gasp goal from Jarrod Bowen gave West Ham a 2-1 win over Fiorentina to see the Irons lift the Europa Conference League.
Said Benrahma had given West Ham the lead but the Hammers were pegged back just a few minutes later.
Bowen would have the final say, though, timing his run perfectly as he was found beautifully by Lucas Paqueta before providing a finish that will go down in West Ham history.
Earlier today pictures emerged of West Ham’s parade bus emblazoned with the words ‘Europa Conference League Winners’.
Now West Ham have confirmed details, timings and the route for the Europa Conference League trophy parade back in east London.
In a release sent to Hammers News and other media outlets, the club has provided the following statement which we will print in full.
Statement from West Ham United:
West Ham United to hold UEFA Europa Conference League Victory Parade in East London
West Ham United’s heroes will return from their triumphant night in Prague to a victory celebration in the streets of East London on Thursday evening.
The playing squad and coaching staff will parade the Club’s first major trophy since 1980 on a specially-commissioned open top bus, travelling from the Hammers’ old home at Upton Park to a reception at Stratford Town Hall.
Wednesday night’s historic victory over ACF Fiorentina in the UEFA Europa Conference League final has delivered the first European trophy to East London since the legendary West Ham team starring Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Alan Sealey won the Cup Winners’ Cup at Wembley in May 1965.
In the celebrations that followed that triumph, Moore and his team-mates greeted tens of thousands of supporters from the roof of their parade bus, before the captain held the trophy aloft from the balcony of East Ham Town Hall, standing alongside the Mayor of Newham.
Almost 60 years on, the new generation of trophy-winning Hammers heroes will pay tribute to their predecessors in our heartland, starting the parade at the junction of Green Street and Barking Road, adjacent to the Boleyn Pub and The Champions Statue.
The parade will then proceed west along Barking Road, turn right onto Greengate Street, and continue slowly along the A112 past Plaistow Park, Plaistow Station and Stratford Park, before ending its journey on West Ham Lane, outside the Old Town Hall in Stratford – at the heart of our home borough of Newham and where our current home resides.
The Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz will be there to welcome the squad, just like her predecessor in 1965, and Hammers skipper Declan Rice will hold the trophy aloft in front of the Claret & Blue faithful.
It promises to be a party that no-one present will ever forget, after a victory that will be forever etched in the history of West Ham United, and in the record books of European football.
West Ham United Joint-Chair David Sullivan said: “I could not be more proud of this magnificent football club. Proud of how far we have come over the last decade. Proud of the manager, the backroom team, and all the staff, who have done a fantastic job. And proud of all the players, from our amazing home-grown talent, to our brilliant international stars, who have given us a night and a triumph that will live forever.
“But most of all, I want to pay tribute to the Hammers fans, the Claret and Blue Army, who have once again shown they are the best in the world. They have been incredible this season. Packing out the London Stadium match after match, creating an atmosphere home and away that is second to none, and showing teams all over Europe how massive this Club is.
“When we moved to the new ground, we dreamed of moments like this. Our task now is to build on this triumph, and the double-winning feats of our Under-18 Academy team, ensuring that every time our men and women start a new season in West Ham United colours, they are competing for more success.
“But for now, it is time to celebrate. It will be fantastic to see Hammers fans from across London fill the streets to welcome our heroes back from Prague, and all our supporters over land and sea join the party on our Club channels. This trophy belongs to you, and it will be fantastic to all share in the moment.
“Sadly of course, there is one man who will not be there, someone who did so much to help deliver this success to our Club, and – in all the joy and excitement of the victory – the one thing I missed was being able to turn to him, see his smile, and shake his hand. But I know how proud he would have been too. This is for you, DG – our dreams beginning to come true.”
The parade bus sets off at 7pm BST, making its way to Stratford Town Hall around 8pm BST, but timings will inevitably change depending on the size of the crowd.
Related Topics
Have something to tell us about this article?
