Thousands of West Ham fans line streets to cheer Europa Conference heroes at bus parade and say farewell to Declan Rice
THOUSANDS of West Ham fans lined the streets to cheer on their Europa Conference League heroes.
The Hammers secured their first major trophy in over 50 years thanks to Jarrod Bowen’s 90th minute winner in Prague.
AFPWest Ham players given a hero’s welcome back to East London[/caption]
PAMatch winner Jarod Bowen meets fans before the parade[/caption]
PAFans line the street at the parade in front of the statue of Bobby Moore[/caption]
Instagram / @westhamWest Ham stars pose with the trophy as they head home[/caption]
David Moyes’ men were given a hero’s welcome upon their arrival back home and fans came out in their numbers to celebrate the moment with them.
The specially-commissioned open top bus travels from the old home at Upton Park to a reception at Stratford Town Hall.
This is the club’s first success in Europe since Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Alan Sealey won the European Cup-Winners’ Cup at Wembley in May 1965.
Moore, who would go on to lift the World Cup for England the following year, and his team-mates were greeted by fans from the balcony of East Ham Town Hall.
This time, it was led by manager Moyes and club captain Rice, who may have played his last game in claret and blue.
Hammers owner David Sullivan told talkSPORT: “I think it has to be [his last game].
“We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going. You can’t ask for a man who has committed more to us this season.
“In due course, he has to get on and we have to get a replacement – or several replacements.
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“It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him £200,000-a-week 18 months ago. He turned it down.
“It’s cost him £10million to stay at West Ham in that time (in lost wages). And he wants to go.
“You can’t keep a player who doesn’t want to be there.”
PADeclan Rice may have played his last West Ham game[/caption]
ReutersManager David Moyes getting involved in the celebrations[/caption]
ReutersDeclan Rice holding the trophy[/caption]
