European football – this is the dream West Ham fans have been hoping for since leaving Upton Park.
Swapping their spiritual home for the London Stadium was a big moment for the club – with the fans excited about a possible future involving a world-class team playing in a world-class stadium.
However, only two seasons ago, West Ham seemed in a troubled state of no return: with a stadium that perhaps didn’t feel like their own and a team close to Championship quality.
Three years later and David Moyes, among West Ham fans, is now genuinely frustrated that they are not in the Europa League for the second year in a row: the club has transformed into a stable, cultured, European-loving machine.
They are finally becoming the club that they were aiming for when leaving Upton Park.
After losing to Brighton, West Ham have qualified for the Europa Conference League after their spirited European journey this season. While some may turn their heads at this third-tier European competition, it provides a fantastic opportunity to create some more golden moments for this West Ham side.
Another impressive season from @WestHam ended with a place in the Europa Conference League confirmed ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/y2KeZzSULt
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 23, 2022
After all, if the Hammers recruit right and keep Declan Rice, they will probably be one of the favourites to win the competition.
West Ham’s soul isn’t based on trophies and glory nights. It’s forged around the team and fans, together as one, creating memories and going on some wild adventures – the Europa Conference gives them the perfect platform to pack their bags and sing their hearts out.
The transformation Moyes has overseen is nothing short of remarkable. West Ham were happy just to keep their Premier League status a few years ago, but now they have got a genuine taste of European football and they are desperate for more.
Can you blame them?