West Ham fans watch their Europa Conference League champions’ jubilant open-top bus parade
Here come the champions! West Ham stars arrive back in East London to celebrate Europa Conference League glory as fans swarm the streets of East London for a parade of open top buses
Fans line the streets awaiting West Ham’s open-top bus parade to celebrate their Europa Conference League win on Wednesday night.
David Moyes’ side defeated Fiorentina 2–1 at Prague’s Fortuna Arena with Jarrod Bowen winning in the 90th minute as the Hammers lifted their first European trophy in 58 years.
The club confirmed they would stage a parade for their champions after the final whistle, in an east London route similar to that of Sir Bobby Moore’s side after they won the 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup.
The parade would start at 7pm and the players would be seen making their way from the old Upton Park ground to Stratford Town Hall.
The planned procession will also celebrate the achievements of the club’s youth, who have had a blistering season winning the FA Youth Cup and U18 Premier League.
Fans gathered in their numbers to welcome West Ham back from Prague after Wednesday’s victory
Fans celebrated their first major trophy in 43 years in the sun on Thursday night
Supporters decked out in brightly colored flags lined the parade route in East London
Co-chairman David Sullivan stressed that the club would look to ‘build on this triumph’ next season in a cheering message shared with supporters following the win.
But for now it’s time to celebrate. It will be fantastic to see Hammers fans from all over London fill the streets to welcome our heroes from Prague, and all our supporters across land and sea will join the party on our Club channels,” said Sullivan.
“This trophy is yours and it will be great to share this moment with everyone.”
Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice were two superstars who stopped and signed autographs when they were ready to board the bus and start the parade.
Jarrod Bowen was one of the first players depicted to make his way to the open-top bus
The competition winner stopped to sign the shirts of several young fans
Supporters rose for a good view of the bus, which was scheduled to leave the old Upton Park ground at 7pm
The West Ham captain is said to have played his last game in burgundy and blue after attracting interest from a number of top sides including Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Manchester United.
The pair were joined by Mikhail Antonio, who previously claimed victory required ‘at least three weeks’ of celebration.
Youth star Divin Mubama shared footage on her way to the start of the parade, which showed gathered fans cheerfully waving flags, lighting torches and cheering on their heroes.
Declan Rice was also greeted by young fans eager to catch a glimpse of the Hammers captaincy
Mikhail Antonio said the squad was preparing to celebrate “three weeks” after the victory
One fan wore an on-the-nose prop shaped like a huge burgundy and blue hammer