West Ham look for European glory

West Ham United's season reaches its climax next Wednesday (7/6) with the final of the Europa Conference League against Fiorentina. The Hammers will hope to go one better in Prague, than they did last year when losing the semi-final of the Europa League. It is 47 years since West Ham reached a major European final, then, they lost 4-2 to Anderlecht in the European Cup Winners Cup. So if Declan Rice lifts the trophy next week, he'll be the first West Ham captain since Bobby Moore to do so. Moore led the side that won the Cup Winners Cup in 1965, so no small achievement.. Rice has played a huge role in leading West Ham to the final, as well as securing Premier League safety, after some difficult times. Fans hope Rice will stay, though there is much rumour that he is on his way to a bigger club. West Ham's owners also deserve credit for sticking by manager David Moyes, when so many were calling for him to be sacked. After some dodgy patches, things finally came good in April, with the team getting together a run that led to Premier League safety and the final. Moyes rather prescriptive, direct style of football is not the most attractive in the world to watch but he does get results. No one can argue with a record that has seen the Scotsman save the club from relegation, then finish sixth and seventh in the Premier League, as well as that Europa League semi-final last year. The manager will need to shuffle the pack a bit in the summer bringing in some new players and letting others go. He also has some excellent young players coming through from the team that won the FA Youth Cup. Fans should be seeing plenty more of Divin Mubama and Ollie Scarlets among others over coming seasons. So, things look bright for West Ham's future. The challenge now is to bring home that European Conference Trophy. Come on You Irons.