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West Ham fans enjoy first game at Olympic Stadium in Stratford
West Ham fans descend on the Olympic Stadium in Stratford for their first home game - Credit: Archant
Selfies, cheers and tears were all part of the fun at West Ham United’s opening match at the Olympic Stadium last night.
More than 54,000 fans, most wearing the famous claret and blue celebrated not only their new home, but also a 3-0 victory against Slovenian side NK Domezale to kick-start life in Stratford.
It was a perfect start to the Hammers new era, as fans soaked up a new atmosphere and remained amongst some of Europe’s elite clubs by reaching the next round of qualifiers in the Europa League.
Fan Terry Mclean, 57, from Hainault, said: “It was brilliant, the atmosphere was just great and the first rendition of Bubbles was brilliant, it sent shivers down my spine.
“I put a post on Facebook, when I got home saying it feels like home already.
“We were really impressed, it was just a great experience all round and it was really easy to get home after the game.”
Fans travelled far and wide for the historic opening night at the Hammers’ new ground, as they were from across the country and a few even travelling all the way from Australia.
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Max Nosworthy, 40, from Perth, Australia, said: “The score made my trip a whole lot better.
“I felt the acoustic’s in the stadium, weren’t too great, as it took a while for the songs and atmosphere to get round, where it’s so big.
“Whether it was just me and where I’m not used too it or where I was so tired, I don’t know, but it will get better I’m sure.
“I hadn’t slept because I was in transit for 48 hours, before the game, as there was a plane crash in Dubai where I stop off on the way over.
“Overall, it was good and we pretty much filled the stadium and no-one said we would, so that’s a massive achievement.”
Were you at the game? Email your pictures to Jacob.ranson@archant.co.uk or tweet @NewhamRecorder and you could find yourself in next week’s paper.