Europe Is English!!

Even the torrential rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the thousands of Manchester City fans lining the parade route to welcome their Treble winning heroes home.

It was whilst I was witnessing this outpouring of joy, from the shelter underneath the Arndale centre on Market Street, that it dawned on me that 2 of the 3 European trophies available this season will be spending their summer on our island.

Whilst Man City becoming the 2nd English team ever, and first this century, to complete the treble is truly historic it is the other story of continental success that is the most remarkable achievement of the season.

Everyone saw City’s victories coming from the second Arsenal decided to go all spursy in the title race, but no-one envisioned success coming West Ham United’s way this season.

The Hammers are a team that had been hovering around the relegation zone and came close to kicking David Moyes out of the dugout on several occasions this season. Despite all their league turmoil they have pulled a successful season out of this raging fire by securing their first major European trophy since 1965.

When Jarred Bowen’s 90th minute winner got them over the line in Prague he not only secured the Iron’s first major European success since their European Cup Winner’s cup win in 1965, but also their trophy of any kind since victory in the 1980 FA Cup final.

The fact that David Moyes keeping his job for next season is big news this evening shows just how incredible this victory is for the Iron.

“Fortune’s always hiding, I’ve looked everywhere” is one of the most famous refrains of their club anthem ‘ I’m forever blowing bubbles’ but this week it was found.

The completion of City’s treble just over 48 hours ago makes this week the time when Europe became English.