“Me and my dad weren’t fortunate enough to get tickets for the Europa Conference League final. We watched it at the Orbit in Stratford, next to West Ham’s stadium. My dad had stomach cancer at the time and to have that moment with him was special.”
Adam Leatherbarrow, a West Ham United supporter, has experienced some of the best moments of his life over the past three years.
“I prefer European games over league games,” says Leatherbarrow. “It’s something new, something exciting, and we seem to thrive in it. Supporters of other clubs dismiss the Europa League and Conference League, but that’s because they haven’t experienced it. I’m 37 and I’ve only seen us win something once in my lifetime. That’s thanks to us being in Europe.
“It was like Del Boy and Rodney (from Only Fools and Horses) when they say, ‘One day we’ll be millionaires’. And then it actually happens, that’s how it felt winning the Conference League. Before the final, me and my dad had a bit of a rocky relationship, we didn’t speak for a while. My daughter was born, we patched things up and us having that moment in Stratford after the final was the highlight of it all.
“Before Said Benrahma took his penalty, I couldn’t watch it. Then my dad started jumping on me and that’s how I knew he scored. Us having these moments happened through us being in Europe. Thankfully, he’s got the all-clear. He can’t go to games at the minute, but I can’t wait to cherish more European nights with him.”
Manager David Moyes has previously mentioned how winning the Europa Conference League has made him more determined as a manager. Players, such as midfielder Tomas Soucek, have also alluded to the winning mentality in the squad. Every match, supporters will chorus, “Champions of Europe, we know what we are”.
West Ham’s European journey under Moyes began with qualification for the 2021-22 Europa League by finishing sixth in the Premier League. They have exceeded expectations. They reached the semi-final but lost to Eintracht Frankfurt that season, then won the Europa Conference League in June this year.
Before West Ham beat Freiburg 2-0 on Thursday to advance to the last 16 of the Europa League as group winners, courtesy of goals from Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez, The Athletic spoke to fans to find out how much European football means to them.
“I don’t think anyone knew what to expect during our first season in Europe,” says supporter Stephanie Barnett. “But it was a learning curve for the club and its supporters and although we didn’t win the Europa League, we saw West Ham’s potential. There’s been a real togetherness among fans for booking flights and hotels, such as strangers finding cheap ways to travel together because they love the club.
“When you think about West Ham over the years, we’ve always been the bridesmaid, never the bride, losing to Frankfurt in the semi-finals and the number of times we’ve been knocked out in the quarter-finals in domestic cup competitions. I was with my friend Susan in Prague and I said, ‘I can’t believe we’re in the final of a European competition’.
“When the final started, it felt like an out-of-body experience. It sounds bad but I was expecting us to fail. I’ve been so used to West Ham falling at the last hurdle for the past 40-odd years. When Lucas Paqueta played that pass to Jarrod Bowen, it felt like time had slowed down. Then it just went wild in the stands, grown men in tears, I was in tears — one of the best moments ever as a supporter.
“I even get emotional when I hear the Europa League anthem before games. I used to refer to West Ham as an up-and-down club — one season we’re up, then we’re fighting against relegation. Now we’re through to the next round of a European competition. I have so many stamps in my passport thanks to West Ham. I’ve already booked my hotel and flights for Dublin (the final for this season’s Europa League will be held at Aviva Stadium). I booked Prague early, too, so hopefully, I’ll be lucky a second time. I don’t want this journey to end.”
UNBELIEVABLE SCENES!! 💥
Jarrod Bowen writes himself in West Ham history to surely clinch glory with the last kick of the game!! 🤩#UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/W2b8zqfR8W
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 7, 2023
The 2-1 loss to Olympiacos this October was West Ham’s first European defeat in 17 games. Victory over Freiburg saw Moyes’ side win their 10th consecutive home game in European competitions, becoming just the fifth English team to do so. West Ham have relished playing in Europe and supporters, such as Richard Dodds, have built up a bank of unforgettable memories.
“European football has given me some of the best days of my life supporting West Ham,” he says. “I started following the club when I was six, now I’m 57. I’ve been to Greece, Serbia, Germany and so many other countries. It’s transformed following West Ham and has been the best three years. It’s still frustrating sometimes that we play defensive under the manager, but on the bright side, we have European football. It’s a day out with your mates, you meet people who end up being friends for life. Will our European run continue? I’m not sure after the next round but, if it does, long may it continue.”
Joe, who is walking his dog Leo, shares a season ticket with his brother. Although he is inclined to see a managerial change, he is grateful he has been able to enjoy European nights at the London Stadium.
“We can’t expect too much in terms of West Ham playing in the Champions League, but playing in the Europa League or Conference League are the next best things,” he says. “It’s a completely different experience for fans and the atmosphere is often better than the league games. In knockout football, you fancy us against anyone over two legs.
“I’ll never forget that game against Sevilla. I sit in the upper tier and it’s not often fans will stand for the whole match but they did against Sevilla and it was amazing. I still think this will be Moyes’ last season and our performances in the league haven’t been enjoyable. A lot gets said about the atmosphere and style of play, but if Moyes wins the Europa League, maybe it might change my opinion. At the end of the day, he’s given us European football, but I’d still take my chance with another manager.”
“I haven’t been able to attend the away games but the last three years have been unbelievable,” says Darren Smith. “Before we became a European club, most supporters were jealous that other fans of English clubs got to experience European trips. Now we’ve had those magical moments. We’re a club that’s not going to compete to win the Premier League. With us being in Europe, we’ve been in cup finals every Thursday for the last three years.
“It feels like we’ve been spoilt in a way. I’m not a massive Moyes fan but I can’t fault what he’s done for the club. You have to give the guy credit. A cold Wednesday night against Norwich City, or a club similar, doesn’t compare to a European night under the lights when it’s just as cold. You look forward to going regardless because you don’t know how long it will last.”
(Top photos: Getty Images)
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