Today marks the 50th anniversary of West Ham United's fabulous achievement in winning the 1965 European Cup Winners' Cup
When West Ham United lifted the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium in May 1964, not only had the Hammers won the first major trophy in their history, but they also secured qualification for the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
The Club’s maiden continental campaign would be an equally memorable one which would end in another unforgettable victory at the Home of Football.
West Ham’s inaugural European adventure saw Ron Greenwood’s Hammers visit France, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland and Spain before taking on TSV Munich 1860 in a thrilling final.
The Hammers scored in each of the eight ties they played on the way to the final, including all four away legs, but it was far from plain sailing all the way to Wembley.
The Londoners had to resist a late comeback from Spartak Prague, a rollercoaster battle with Lausanne and a determined effort from Real Zaragoza to set up a meeting with the German Cup winners on the night of 19 May 1965.
There and then, the brand of football first introduced by Greenwood’s predecessor Ted Fenton in the late 1950s reached its zenith on the wide open spaces of Wembley.
With no fewer than eight home-grown players in the starting XI, West Ham produced a fine performance to edge out through two second-half goals from outside right Alan Sealey.
Just seven years after winning promotion from the Second Division, the Hammers had become just the second English club to win a European trophy.
Today, we celebrate the greatest achievement in the history of West Ham United Football Club, 50 years on.
The Club’s maiden continental campaign would be an equally memorable one which would end in another unforgettable victory at the Home of Football.
West Ham’s inaugural European adventure saw Ron Greenwood’s Hammers visit France, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland and Spain before taking on TSV Munich 1860 in a thrilling final.
The Hammers scored in each of the eight ties they played on the way to the final, including all four away legs, but it was far from plain sailing all the way to Wembley.
The Londoners had to resist a late comeback from Spartak Prague, a rollercoaster battle with Lausanne and a determined effort from Real Zaragoza to set up a meeting with the German Cup winners on the night of 19 May 1965.
There and then, the brand of football first introduced by Greenwood’s predecessor Ted Fenton in the late 1950s reached its zenith on the wide open spaces of Wembley.
With no fewer than eight home-grown players in the starting XI, West Ham produced a fine performance to edge out through two second-half goals from outside right Alan Sealey.
Just seven years after winning promotion from the Second Division, the Hammers had become just the second English club to win a European trophy.
Today, we celebrate the greatest achievement in the history of West Ham United Football Club, 50 years on.