Budding writer Jack Heffer, a lifelong West Ham United fan, was one of thousands of the Hammers' supporters in Seville this week – and gave this account of an unforgettable trip for the Claret & Blue Army…
Tuesday
I didn't actually get my match ticket until Monday – I was there on the website, tapping as quickly as I could – but then, I literally had less than 24 hours to book everything!
It was a feeling of pure excitement. I was very lucky to get a ticket, so I knew I had to go!
Tuesday was quite a long day. I went with a couple of West Ham-supporting mates from London Gatwick out to Malaga, and then got the train down to Seville from there – but even just in Gatwick that morning, the amount of fans who were on flights heading to Spain, or going via Faro in Portugal… it was just bonkers!
We first night we arrived, we went to see the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium, an unbelievable sight. It was just incredible to look up at it and think my team would be playing there in a couple of days.
It was a surreal feeling!
Wednesday
We woke up and the weather was beautiful. We probably couldn’t have been anywhere sunnier in Europe. We decided to go into the city of Seville to have a look at some of the sights.
We had a little tour of the Plaza de Toros and some of the architecture around there, like the royal palace – the Alcázar of Seville – and Seville Cathedral. It was sunny, beautiful, and there were horse-drawn carriages going round… it was fascinating and so tranquil.
In the evening, I met up with a few fellow West Ham fans and we headed down to the other UEFA Europa round of 16 first-leg game on in the city that week: Real Betis against Eintracht Frankfurt at Estadio Benito Villamarín.
It was amazing to experience another Spanish stadium and atmosphere, and a really enjoyable game too. Frankfurt won 2-1 – all the goals were in the first half – but it felt like a warm-up for what was to come 24 hours later!
On the Wednesday night, we went out again and saw lots of West Ham fans having a good time, having a sing-song, but being respectful too. We were all excited about the game which was to come.
Thursday – pre-match
Thursday was brilliant.
We got up and went on social media to see where all the West Ham fans were gathering. It seemed like a lot of people were heading to the central plaza.
I met up with my mates there at lunchtime. There were all of these tight roads in the middle of a city centre area, and it was just full of West Ham fans having a great time, singing all day.
It was really enjoyable to meet up with so many supporters, some older and some younger, who had all followed the Club for different amounts of time. I loved hearing how pleased they were to be in Seville and just how much the game meant to them.
Even some of the more experienced fans were coming out and saying they'd never seen anything like it in terms of their time following the Club, being in such a location.
I think that really made it special to me before the game had even started, just knowing how significant it was for the Club to be where we were, and how proud all the fans were to really be there.
At about 5pm local time, ahead of the 6.45pm kick-off, there was a police escort down to the ground.
Just seeing thousands of us, showing our support for the team and helping to really create an atmosphere… I’ve never heard a noise like it. Even the residents were coming out, filming us and saying how good the support was.
When we turned up to the ground and got into our seats, that’s when it really started to hammer home, and all felt a bit surreal!
Thursday – the match
Before the game had even began, the atmosphere was unbelievable. ‘Bubbles’ was belted out before kick-off and it felt like we had that ‘here we go’ kind of feeling!
We had to grow into the game, but I feel like we played really, really well in the first half – obviously we were unlucky not to go a goal ahead when Nikola Vlašić came close to scoring – and everyone was really pleased at half-time with the way we performed.
The second half Sevilla nicked a good goal, and obviously the Spanish support out there was phenomenal as well. Up the other end, their lower tier was bouncing and swinging their scarves.
From everything I’ve seen with West Ham, home and away, that was one of the most remarkable home atmospheres I've seen as well, which made it a special occasion for both clubs.
We know Sevilla are a fantastic team, given how many times they’ve won the Europa League, but after they scored, I think we dealt with the rest of the game well.
That one-goal margin keeps us well in the game ahead of the home leg, and everyone saw at full-time, regardless of the result, what a special day – what a special week – it had been for the fans.
The players all came over to clap us at the end, and despite the result, to play on that stage with the following we had, you could see what an incredible moment it was for the fans and the players.
It felt like a special connection was there, one which recognised just how far West Ham United has come in the last few years.
Despite us losing 1-0 on the night, so many fans came out and said it was one of the best days of their life.
Friday
It was pretty straightforward to get back the following morning, but lots of people kept saying on the flight back from Malaga how it was the best experiences they’ve ever had at a football game.
Next week will be one of the biggest games the London Stadium has ever seen!
Hopefully, everyone will give the team a good welcome and get behind them like they did in Seville. After experiencing that, I really hope we can get through – or at least qualify again next season!
West Ham United would like to thank the Claret and Blue Army for their loyal and unrivalled support after General Admission tickets for the UEFA Europa League round of 16 second leg tie with Sevilla sold out with over a week to spare.
The Hammers welcome the Spanish side to London Stadium on Thursday 17 March and the game will be attended by a capacity 60,000 crowd after supporters snapped up every available General Admission seat.
Tens of thousands of our loyal Season Ticket Holders will be part of the full house, with their priority window having given them an exclusive period to secure their tickets.
Should you still wish to be part of an historic evening at London Stadium, a limited number of Club London hospitality packages are still available. Please click here or call 0204 551 0037 to book your place in Club London now!
While Standard Tickets for next Thursday’s second leg may have sold out, tickets are also on General now for the Hammers’ Premier League home games with Aston Villa on Sunday 13 March at 2pm and Everton on Sunday 3 April at 2pm.
To buy your tickets now, click here or call 0333 030 1966.
