JARROD BOWEN has revealed how violent Dutch thugs battered families of West Ham stars with BIKE CHAINS as they tried to celebrate the club’s march to the Europa Conference League final.
Bowen’s 70-year-old grandfather, Roger, and Hammers boss David Moyes’ 87-year-old dad, David Sr, were caught up in the horrific scenes at the end of the semi-final win over AZ Alkmaar.
West Ham stars became involved in fierce scuffles with Alkmaar’s ultras as they desperately tried to protect their loved ones from the sickening hooligan attack in the AFAS Stadion.
Speaking about the horror for the first time, Bowen declared: “It was a disgrace.
“I have never seen anything like that in football, that number of fans wanting to cause violence. I had my 70-year-old grandad there, so I was looking over to see if he was OK.
“Us lads were angry. We are role models and have to keep calm heads but when it is your family getting attacked, people have to see it in a different light.
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“It’s your family, that’s your blood — and when you see people hitting them with bike chains, it wasn’t nice.
“They don’t want to go to a game and get punched by 50 people.”
Hordes of Dutch ultras tried to storm the stands behind the dugout where the Hammers’ friends and families were sitting.
Raging Bowen was held back from jumping into the melee but skipper Declan Rice was captured hurling a bottle at the yobs.
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Meanwhile, team-mates Said Benrahma, Flynn Downes and Michail Antonio also waded in to try to protect their VIPs from the carnage.
Lifelong Irons fan Chris Knolls, 58, fought off dozens of thugs from attacking the families and has been rewarded with a ticket to the Hammers’ first European final in almost 50 years.
Uefa have vowed to ramp up security for Wednesday’s showpiece against Fiorentina in Prague.
Bowen, 26, added: “We did our job by reaching the final but our families couldn’t enjoy the moment.
“I was looking for my family and you hope security does its best.
“Luckily, in the end, everyone came out unscathed. I didn’t hear anyone was seriously injured.”
AZ Alkmaar have since issued 43 stadium bans to ultras but Rice, Benrahma, Downes and Antonio could yet face Uefa charges for their roles in the violence.
Bowen’s biggest issue now is getting enough sleep ahead of Wednesday’s showdown.
He and Love Island girlfriend Dani Dyer — daughter of TV legend and lifelong Hammers fan Danny — have recently become parents to twin daughters Summer and Star.
Bowen chuckled: “I am trying to get as much sleep as I can before the final.
“When the girls finally arrived two weeks ago it was the best feeling. They are back home and doing well.
“We have got a sleeping schedule sorted. My missus had surgery so I was supporting all of them.”
It might not be the best preparation for the biggest game of Bowen’s career.
But the forward added: “I have dreamt about scoring in the final. I go into every game wanting to score, but scoring in this game would be massive.
“As long as we win, that is the main thing.
“Players want to be a part of a winning team but for the fans to not have that for so many years . . . to be the squad that gives it to them would be great.
“But the less you think about it the better.
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“Of course, you get excited, it is a final, the pinnacle for the players and probably the biggest game of my career.
“I have played for England but when you are in a final, that’s so much bigger for this club, and to win a European trophy for your friends and team-mates, it is a massive moment.
“We all want it but it is important not to get too psyched up. You have to find the balance.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
