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Belfast Live
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Gareth Fullerton

Fiorentina vs West Ham United: Belfast Hammers supporters' club dreaming of Europa Conference League glory

A West Ham United supporters club in Belfast is hoping to toast some overdue silverware glory on Wednesday night.

The Belfast Hammers were formed in 1999 by Peter O'Prey and is the only Northern Ireland club recognised on the official West Ham website.

Since launching 24 years ago the club has grown to 38 members, with many regularly travelling to games throughout the Premier League season.

Read more: Ange Postecoglou breaks silence as Celtic departure is confirmed

It's 43 years since West Ham last won a major trophy. That was the FA Cup when they beat Arsenal 1-0 courtesy of Trevor Brooking's goal at Wembley.

But there is hope that David Moyes' class of 2023 can rewrite the history books when they take on Fiorentina in the final of the Europa Conference League on Wednesday night.

"We have a great chance of winning a trophy for the first time in over 40 years, so it is a massive game for us," Peter told Belfast Live.

"It will be a very exciting game and I feel the teams are well matched. West Ham's performance has improved since the World Cup break but they will have to be at their best to win.

Members of the Belfast Hammers pictured outside London Stadium (Belfast Hammers)

"The Hammers can be a bit of an enigma, but I feel we will get that trophy. I think it will be a very cagey affair and the teams are well-matched.

"If West Ham bring their A-Game, they will win. I am prediction a narrow 1-0 to the Hammers and, please, let's not have penalties."

Peter has enjoyed the highs and endured the lows during his time following West Ham.

He said: "I was present with Belfast Hammers when we secured promotion to the Premier League in 2005 versus Preston. Being at the last game at The Boleyn Upton Park in a 3-2-win against Manchester United in May, 2016 was also a memorable experience.

"Losing the playoff final against Crystal Palace in 2004 was a tough pill to swallow. I was at that game, too.

"Also the 2006 FA Cup Final against Liverpool was gut-wrenching It still rankles, as they had even put the claret and blue ribbons on the cup.

"Last year's Europa League semi-final against Frankfurt was very hard to take as truly believed we could win the competition."

Peter O'Prey of the Belfast Hammers (Belfast Hammers)

West Ham could only finish 14th in the Premier League last season, scrambling away from the relegation zone to maintain their top flight status.

Peter admits it was a frustrating campaign, but says a combinations of injuries and new players contributed to their final position.

"We suffered through a large amount of new players joining the club who didn't adjust. Injuries at key moments didn't help either. It was a disappointing season, and it was no fun fearing the drop.

"One consolation has been our appearances in Europe that have been magnificent. And hopefully we have one more big performance in us."

Peter will be joined by his fellow Belfast Hammers members at Franklin's Bar this Wednesday night to watch the game.

And they hope it will be an evening of celebration.

He added: "I asked around for tickets to the game but unfortunately it wasn't possible. Unlike the other European finals there were only around 5000 tickets for West Ham so the door was firmly shut.

West Ham boss David Moyes (Getty)

"The Slavia Prague stadium holds around 24,000 which is too small for a final like this.. We have members travelling to Prague to hook up with fellow Hammers at events.

"But the response to Wednesday's event at Franklin's has been huge and the bar will be decked with claret and blue . It will be a really exciting and unique event and a chance for Hammers outside of our club to learn more.

"I would like to thank Franklin's. We host meetings there and they have been fantastic to Belfast Hammers."

The Belfast Hammers continues to grow from strength to strength after launching back in 1999.

"It is great that we are closing in our 25th anniversary. We are friendly and open to all Hammers, and you can see from our Facebook page.

"We have invited any Hammer who wishes to come to our ECL event. That's the uniqueness of our club.

"Belfast Hammers has an earned reputation among the Hammers fraternity. I have help hundreds of Hammers go to games and hundreds of non-members."

Peter is also in the process of writing a commemorative 25th anniversary book celebrating the Belfast Hammers.

"I thoughtt it was fitting to recognise our 25th anniversary.. The book outlines some of the headlines and low points of being a distant Hammer and contains a lot of material that will appeal to Hammers but also local football fans of all types.

"The title - 'The Only Religion Is West Ham' - reflects our non-sectarian, inclusive ethos which at our formation is significant as our existence parallels The Good Friday Agreement."

Any West Ham fans interested in attending Wednesday's event at Franklin's Bar can check out the Belfast Hammers Facebook page.

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