West Ham have confirmed preparations for a celebration parade to commemorate their Europa Conference League victory on Thursday.
Jarrod Bowen scored a stunning late winner as the Hammers won their first title in 43 years, defeating Fiorentina 2-1 in Prague.
West Ham players and manager David Moyes will return home on Thursday to celebrate their historic victory with an open-top bus procession in east London.
The march will begin at Upton Park and end at Stratford Town Hall with a reception.
“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,” West Ham announced in a statement.
“The playing squad and coaching staff will parade the Club’s first major trophy since 1980 on a specially-commissioned open top bus 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 delivered the first European trophy to East London since the legendary West Ham team of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, and Alan Sealey won the Cup Winners’ Cup at Wembley in May 1965.”
“During the triumphant celebrations, Moore and his teammates 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.”
“Nearly 60 years later, the new generation of trophy-winning Hammers heroes will pay tribute to their forefathers in our hometown, beginning the parade at the intersection 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 slowly proceed 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.”
“Like her predecessor in 1965, Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz will greet the squad, and Hammers captain Declan Rice will hold the trophy aloft in front of the Claret & Blue faithful.”
“West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Sullivan said: “I couldn’t be more proud of this fantastic football club.” We’re proud of how far we’ve gone in the last decade. I am extremely proud of the manager, the backroom team, and the entire staff for their outstanding work. And I’m happy of all the players, from our incredible home-grown talent to our fantastic international stars, who gave us a night and a victory that will live on in our memories.
“But, above all, I want to thank the Hammers fans, the Claret and Blue Army, for once again demonstrating why they are the best in the world.” They’ve been fantastic this season. Match after match, the London Stadium is packed, producing an atmosphere second to none at home and away, and demonstrating to teams all over Europe how huge this Club is.
“When we moved to the new location, we fantasized about moments like this.” Our aim now is to build on this victory, as well as the double-winning feats of our Under-18 Academy squad, to ensure that every time our men and women put on the West Ham United jersey, they are competing for greater success.
“But for now, it’s time to rejoice.” It will be amazing to see Hammers fans from all across London throng the streets to welcome our heroes back from Prague, and to see all of our followers from all over the world participate in the celebrations on our Club platforms. This trophy is yours, and it will be amazing to share it with everyone.
“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 the one thing I missed in all the joy and excitement of the victory was being able to turn to him, see his smile, and shake his hand.” But I know he would have been proud as well. This is for you, DG – our dreams are coming true.”
“The parade bus departs at 7pm BST and arrives at Stratford Town Hall around 8pm BST, but timings will inevitably change depending on crowd size.”
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