Mark Webster, a West Ham season ticket holder and talkSPORT expert, previews the Europa Conference final. The Battle of Hastings took place in 1066. The Great Fire of London occurred in 1666. West Ham United wins the World Cup in 1966. Yes, historical facts?
Some people would need to be reminded, nevertheless, that West Ham had won the European Championship the year before, in 1964. After the east Londoners defeated 1860 Munich 2-0, Bobby Moore led his team up the storied old steps at Wembley to collect the European Cup Winners Cup.
Europe would also accept a 1976 final defeat and a 1999 Intertoto Cup victory. However, those were the Boleyn Ground years. when the only choice was Upton Park. In the 2016–17 campaign, West Ham United relocated from E13 to the London Stadium, bringing with them a squad ready for the Champions League.
At least, that was the theory. And one that appeared to be a possibility for a few of seasons. After a strong performance in the league and an impressive run deep into the European Conference. But this year’s effort was desperate at times. The only reprieve comes in the shape of some curiously contrasting form in Europe. A near-flawless string of performances resulted in the team’s first trip to the finals since the turn of the century.
So, will West Ham be able to celebrate like it’s 1999? You could start popping balloons now since they have guaranteed their Premier League future and scheduled a trip to Prague in the last few weeks – the team appears to be back on track.
West Ham’s Future Without Rice
David Moyes, the manager of the Hammers, said on Friday that Rice had “a good chance” of leaving the team this summer. Despite interest from virtually every team in England, Rice, 24, has rejected all efforts to convince him to sign an extension.
If the one-season option on his current deal is exercised, his current contract would be extended until 2025. Because they wish to minimize distractions and are not mathematically safe from relegation, West Ham has pushed off discussions over the midfielder’s future.
Outside of the Premier League, David Moyes’ team is nearing a first-place finish in the Europa Conference League since 1980. As a result, compared to what many may have predicted for the most of this season, the prospect of next season -without Declan Rice but with some blue-chip new players -is far more exciting.
Would a defeat be detrimental to the club? Maybe not now that the Hammers have regained their humanity. Of course, West Ham can still be decent, win the cup on Wednesday, and qualify for the Europa League the following year. That would also not be all that horrible.
