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      Inside Man City ace Jack Grealish’s rise from lad with footballing dream to perfect man who’s hit with ladies & lads

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      FLOWING locks, sensational body and a love for a cold beer . . . I think I’ve developed a new crush, in an unlikely spot.The surprise entry at the top of my list of affections is Jack Grealish, the superstar midfielder who was shirtless and clutching a cold pint as he led Manchester City’s victory parade this week.
      Jack Grealish’s big appeal is he seems just like a normal 27-year-old lad who’s living the dreamCredit: Getty
      Jack has no airs or graces, he’s no media-trained robot and he is not afraid to tell it how it isCredit: Getty
      Successful, carefree, the life and soul of the party — and a clearly decent bloke to boot.
      I want to be his mate, I want his looks and I want to be just like him.
      And it’s not just me who’s been won over by headband-wearing Jack in recent days.
      He’s now safely entered “girls want to sleep with him, men want to go for a pint with him” territory, placing him in an exclusive clique at the very top of the showbiz stratosphere alongside A-list actors Ryan Reynolds, Brad Pitt and Tom Hardy.
      READ MORE ON JACK GREALISH
      Jack’s big appeal is he seems just like a normal 27-year-old lad who’s living the dream, playing football at elite level and enjoying every minute.
      He has no airs or graces, he’s no media-trained robot and he is not afraid to tell it how it is.
      Indeed, he’s still exactly the same lad — except with bigger calves — who grew up in Bromsgrove, Worcs, dreaming of becoming a footballer.
      His legs have become such an object of desire they even have their own Instagram profile, with tens of thousands of devoted followers.
      Most read in Football
      And he’s a family man too. He remains close to his parents, cares deeply for his disabled sister Hollie, 19, who has cerebral palsy, and racks up the charity work, having recently been named a principal ambassador for Special Olympics GB.
      On paper, he’s the perfect man, a hit with the ladies — including a fling with pin-up Inbetweeners actress Emily Atack in 2021 — and has model girlfriend Sasha Attwood, 27, cheering from the sidelines when he plays.
      Jack’s partying after Manchester City clinched the Treble will go down as the stuff of legend — and certainly provided more entertainment than his side’s scruffy 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday night.
      He started the celebrations on the pitch as his team-mates lifted the trophy.
      Then he was snapped inside the dressing room downing booze and leading a rendition of Manchester anthem Don’t Look Back In Anger, by Oasis.
      Grealish has model girlfriend Sasha Attwood, 27, cheering from the sidelines when he playsCredit: Instagram
      Jack remains close to his parents, cares deeply for his disabled sister Hollie, 19, who has cerebral palsy
      He remained in his team kit hours after the final whistle, while his team-mates changed into partying threads, and was still in his jersey when filmed singing fan chant “Have you ever won the Treble?” at 6am on Sunday morning.
      After finally making it back to his team hotel he was pictured again popping his head out of a skylight of the team coach as the Treble winners headed for the airport to catch a flight back to Manchester, where he was then pictured lying down cradling the Champions League trophy next to team-mate Bernardo Silva.
      His airport pint was still cold as Jack and some of his team-mates jetted off on another European adventure, this time to Ibiza for a nine-hour bender, landing on the White Isle at 11.59pm on Sunday.
      After finally removing his team jersey, Jack was snapped in a Hawaiian shirt as he headed to megaclub Pacha until sunrise.
      Hours later he was pictured being held up by team-mate Kyle Walker as they left their hotel, and was offered the loan of a wheelchair at the airport ahead of their return to Manchester for City’s open-top bus party.
      Even the downpours back on home turf didn’t rain on Jack’s parade as his boozing continued and team-mates poured champagne over his head.
      Drenched, he removed his soaked shirt, setting up for the now iconic picture of him topless and stretching his arms out, which could have been mistaken for a Calvin Klein advert.
      Knuckled down
      No matter that he was scheduled to meet up with the England squad last night for the next round of international clashes.
      Surely even England manager Gareth Southgate, football’s straight-laced head boy, will forgive him.
      Jack says these past few days have been the best of his life, and he’s had the class to thank his club manager, Pep Guardiola, who turned him into a world-class performer.
      Following his British-record move from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021, Jack struggled to hold down a starting berth with Man City, initially sparking talk he’d become a £100million flop.
      Yet despite his love of partying, he’s knuckled down and learned Pep’s ethos — and was rewarded with an extended run in the team this season. And he hasn’t looked back, becoming a pivotal player in this all-conquering City side.
      Following his British-record move from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021, Jack struggled to hold down a starting berth with Man CityCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Jack with his parents Karen and KevinCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      Speaking after securing the Treble on Saturday night, Jack said of Pep: “He’s a genius, isn’t he? I just went and said to him, ‘You’ve made this happen for me’. He put so much faith in me, buying me for a lot of money.
      “Even last year, when I was playing cr*p, he stuck with me and spoke to me. And now he’s given me this platform to perform and I just said thank you to him.”
      Holding back tears, he also thanked his family, adding: “This is just what you work for your whole life. I am so happy, man.
      “I was awful today. I don’t care. To win the Treble with this group of players is so special.
      “Anyone who knows me knows how much of a family person I am and how much I love football, and this is my whole life.
      “You think of all the people who have helped you along the way and I saw my family in the crowd, and it just made me emotional.”
      English football has provided many mavericks in recent years, including Wayne Rooney, David Beckham and Paul Gascoigne.
      The latter is the player Jack is most commonly compared to, as he is also a good dribbler who takes players on in dangerous areas.Gazza won the hearts of the nation following his exploits at Italia ’90.
      But unlike Jack, he had a troubled side and well-publicised controversies — including being accused of attacking then-wife Sheryl — leading to a loss of big endorsement deals and withdrawal of support from the public
      Read more on The Sun
      But if Jack continues to keep on the straight and narrow, and playing with a smile on his face, his popularity will certainly outlast the other booze-loving England star — and he’ll become his generation’s talented talisman.
      And if he ever fancies a post-match pint, I’m buying. More

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      Hilarious moment Man City hero Jack Grealish is carried by Kyle Walker after marathon booze session following treble win

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      TREBLE-winner Jack Grealish got so smashed on a three-day celebration bender he had to be held up by party-loving teammate Kyle Walker.The Man City pair were heading to Ibiza airport where wrecked Grealish, 27, was offered a wheelchair.
      Jack Grealish got so smashed he had to be held up by party-loving teammate Kyle WalkerCredit: Splash
      Grealish hugs the cup after City’s Champions League win at 11pm on Saturday
      Grealish downing beers with Stefan Ortega to start the party at 11.20pm on Saturday
      Grealish Still in kit, singing with ace Haaland at 6am on Sunday
      Back in Manchester with Bernardo Silva at 4pm on SundayCredit: Getty
      The squad spent 12 hours on the island after Saturday’s Istanbul booze-up.
      Tonight they held their victory bus parade in Manchester.
      The £100million winger downed bubbly at the open-top bus parade in Manchester.
      The non-stop celebrations began with a monster booze-up in Istanbul after City won the Champions League on Saturday.
      Read More on Jack Grealish
      The heroes briefly returned to Manchester before most flew off again at 8.30pm on Sunday on a Titan Airways Airbus A321.
      In scenes right out of the Hangover movies, they landed at 11.59pm and headed to megaclub Pacha until sunrise.
      Jack shared much of his celebrations on his socials.
      Yesterday it looked like the partying had caught up with him when he emerged from the team hotel at 10am.
      Most read in Football
      He hid bleary eyes under shades and a hoodie while supported by Kyle Walker, whose own boozy antics have included exposing himself in a bar.
      An onlooker said: “Jack’s teammates were holding him up and managed to get him to the bus. When they got to the airport, staff saw he was struggling to walk and brought a wheelchair. They offered him the chair as transport to the plane.
      “But he managed to walk up the steps himself. All his mates seemed to be finding it pretty funny. I think Jack will once he’s had some sleep.”
      City’s England stars John Stones, Phil Foden, Walker and Kalvin Phillips also flew to the island.
      Others on the trip included Erling Haaland, Nathan Ake, Rúben Dias, Rodri, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and Manuel Akanji.
      Jack changes kit for the Ibiza all-nighter, pictured on Monday at 12.30amCredit: Splash
      Grealish in full-on party mode with England pal Phil Foden on Monday at 1.30amCredit: Splash
      Jack and the team on a tram before their bus parade at 6.50pm on MondayCredit: Getty
      Sozzled Grealish soaked in booze after the team’s homecoming
      The star is pictured drenched in bubbly and shouting for joy at 7pm on MondayCredit: Getty
      Grealish pours more bubbly booze down his throatCredit: Twitter
      Sup for cup Jack on the team busCredit: Getty
      Club captain Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin de Bruyne and Stefan Ortega stayed in Manchester and took their Wags for a celebratory meal at Tattu restaurant.
      The Ibiza group were bussed to the 415-room Ushuaia Hotel after midnight.
      They dined at Tatel, where a green salad costs £25, before departing for Pacha at 2.30am.
      Swaying Jack was seen in pale-blue designer shirt and £3,000 Gucci leather trousers.
      Players partied until 6.30am then returned to their hotel.
      They arrived in Manchester at 1pm yesterday, ahead of the 6.30pm open-top bus parade.
      Read more on The Sun
      Rejuvenated Jack was among players seen on a tram.
      The threat of storms delayed the start before fans celebrated winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. More

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      It has been a long wait, but Manchester City are really there after Champion’s League win

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      “WE’RE not really here.” That old City chant from the 1980s was never more true than in the Atatürk Olympic stadium on Saturday night.Surreal and unreal. As Ilkay Gundogan scaled the ad boards and bowled towards us with that huge iconic trophy, I couldn’t quite believe this was happening.
      Triumphant Man City players lift the Champions League trophyCredit: Reuters
      And neither could all the laughing, crying, emotionally wrecked fans around me.
      Earlier, at the fan park by the stadium, miles out on the edge of this gigantic, teeming city, a place with the weight of all human civilisation on its shoulders, 20,000 lads and lasses from Manchester and beyond partied in the sun.
      Tales of tortuous journeys abounded, of three-hour queues for free buses, of madly ­expensive taxi rides.
      But the overwhelming feeling was: Was this whole thing real?
      Read More on Man City
      As a City fan since 1969, when as a seven-year-old I watched them win the FA Cup on the first colour TV I’d ever seen, this, for 40 years of my life, was an impossibility.
      For 20 years in the ’90s and noughties, we were rubbish.
      With the piled-on pain of Man U’s successes.
      Of course, since we became rich in 2008 then, seven years ago, got the best manager the game has ever seen, hope and expectation has grown season by season.
      Most read in Football
      Old fans like me were delirious with an FA Cup, and then, a couple of Prem titles.
      But, Champions League? You’re ­having a laugh.
      At this new-found highest level we were still Typical City, as several painful exits proved.
      Saturday night ended that.
      Back to the city on the brilliant all-night metro, we celebrated till the sun came up.
      A narrow cobbled alley of bars just off Istiklal Street, Istanbul’s Oxford Street, became City, Champions of Europe Boulevard.
      Grown men mimicked flicking monkeys off their backs.
      There was champagne and £1 cigars, strong beer and kebabs, flags and flares, banners and anthems, pledges of European Cup tattoos with ‘Istanbul 10.6.23’, like people do for the birth of a child.
      And we were really there.
      Party time as flares are lit in Istanbul’s Istiklal Street – now nicknamed ‘City Boulevard’ More

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      Jack Grealish belts out rap song after wild all-nighter celebrating Man City’s historic Champions League victory

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      PARTY boy Jack Grealish belted out a rap song from the Man City team bus as he led their Champions League celebrations into the early hours yesterday.The England ace, 27, repeatedly poked his head out of the sunroof, yelling “woo!” before they set off.
      Jack Grealish repeatedly poked his head out of the sunroof of the team busCredit: Simon Jones
      Grealish has a lager in the dressing room
      Grealish knocked back beers and belted out Blues chants with his teammatesCredit: Getty
      Jack had knocked back beers and belted out Blues chants with his teammates in the dressing room after they beat Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League final to complete their historic Treble.
      The winger sang a version of Fleetwood Mac’s Everywhere with lyrics altered to turn it into a City tune.
      After the match in Istanbul, City’s £100million record signing was close to tears as he told what the achievement meant to him.
      Brummie Jack said: “Anyone that knows me knows how much of a family person I am and how much I love football and, I don’t know . . . this is what I’ve worked for my whole life.
      Read More on Manchester City
      “You think back to all the people that have helped you and just seeing my family in the crowd, it makes me emotional.”
      Grealish toasted the victory by sharing a kiss with girlfriend Sasha Attwood, also 27, on the pitch.
      City’s aces, manager Pep Guardiola and their loved ones then went back to the five-star JW Marriott Hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea to carry on the party.
      Grealish, Kyle Walker and others raved until 8.30am local time.
      Most read in Football
      Goal machine Erling Haaland puffed on a cigar and declared his love for Grealish in an Instagram selfie.
      Walker was seen holding a microphone with a bottle of booze next to him in an 8.30am Instagram snap.
      City had an exclusive bash with a dancefloor, DJ decks and disco balls in a conference room and adjacent space outside.
      The equipment, booze and hotel space is likely to have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.
      The partying players showed no signs of slowing down as they departed the hotel — goalie Ederson was holding a bottle of Asahi on the team coach at 11.55am.
      The “big-eared” Champions League trophy was bundled on to the bus as City made their way to the airport.
      Players continued the celebrations yesterday afternoon during the three-and-a-half-hour flight home from Istanbul.
      Belgian midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne, who limped off with an injury in the first half of the final, posed wearing the golden crown from the Premier League trophy.
      The Belgian, 31, also bantered with Grealish.
      And local lad Phil Foden, 23, who came on for De Bruyne, could not stop smiling on the jet to Manchester.
      Guardiola led his squad off the club’s custom jumbo, hoisting aloft City’s first Champions League trophy alongside skipper Ilkay Gundogan, 32.
      Hundreds of fans lined the exterior fences of Manchester Airport to welcome their side home.
      City are now set to embark on an open-top bus parade through Manchester, starting at 6.30pm tonight.
      Thousands of fans will glimpse their Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies.
      Some 30,000 fans had descended on Istanbul, with midfielder Rodri’s 67th-minute strike breaking the deadlock.
      Ex-boxing world champ Ricky Hatton, 44, was among them.
      But Oasis legends Noel and Liam Gallagher did not attend.
      Read more on The Sun
      Noel, 56, on tour in the US, watched with fans in San Diego, California.
      After the game, he said: “Tonight, the Manchester rain will taste like champagne. This is the end of the beginning. This is only the start.”
      Local lad Phil Foden could not stop smiling on the planeCredit: Getty
      King Kevin De Bruyne with his Champions League crownCredit: Getty
      Heroes Pep Guardiola and Ilkay Gundogan arrive back home with the CupCredit: Getty
      A jubilant Pep waves to fansCredit: Simon Jones More

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      Marcus Rashford’s Miami party girl revealed to be business savvy personal trainer who lectures at ‘Big Booty University’

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      THE girl who partied with Marcus Rashford after he split from his fiancée is today revealed as personal trainer Courtney Caldwell.US-based Courtney also fronts the Big Body University — which promises to help followers get a bum like Kim Kardashian.
      Marcus Rashford was seen arriving back at his hotel with personal trainer Courtney Caldwell in MiamiCredit: The Sun
      A source said: ‘Courtney is not only beautiful, she is business minded and incredibly smart’Credit: Courtney Caldwell
      Stunning Courtney wows her 117,000 Instagram followers with snaps at the beach and in the gymCredit: Courtney Caldwell
      We told yesterday how the England and Manchester United striker, 25, was seen returning to his hotel with her at 5am after partying at an exclusive nightclub while on holiday in Miami.
      Courtney sells workout and meal plans online — enjoying lucrative deals with brands like Gymshark.
      A source said: “Courtney is not only beautiful, she’s business-minded and incredibly smart.
      “Marcus was lucky to spend time with her. She is really something special.”
      Read More on Marcus Rashford
      Courtney has a massive presence online thanks to her meal plan business and a love of sharing workout videos.
      Her TikTok page boasts 516,000 followers and 14.4million likes.
      At the weekend she posted a video on Instagram showing her in a tiny bikini while on a yacht, with the caption: “Anything for you.”
      The Sun on Sunday exclusively revealed yesterday that Marcus had split from childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi, 25.
      Most read in Football
      They got engaged last year.
      A source said: “The relationship ran its course and they remain very close friends.”
      Marcus — who himself has an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester — flew to Florida after United’s 2-1 FA Cup Final defeat to Manchester City.
      Those close to the former couple say they broke up two months ago.
      The US based beauty is a personal trainer and has made her money from lucrative deals with brands like GymsharkCredit: Courtney Caldwell
      She fronts the Big Booty University which promises to get her users a bum like Kim KardashianCredit: Courtney Caldwell
      A source told The Sun: ‘Marcus was lucky to spend time with her. She is really something special’Credit: Courtney Caldwell
      Courtney encourages other women to work on building their bums
      Marcus has been enjoying a luxury stay in Miami following his break up with Lucia LoiCredit: Getty
      The Sun on Sunday exclusively revealed Marcus’ love split More

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      England football chiefs replace Snickers sponsor in new health drive

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      BARS of Snickers chocolate have been subbed by England footie chiefs in a new health drive.The treat, a partner of the England and Scotland teams, has been replaced by healthier Kind cereal bars.
      Snickers will no longer be sponsoring the England football teamCredit:
      FA officials did not want stars including Harry Kane and Beth Mead to be associated with Snickers after last year launching The Greater Game scheme to inspire youngsters to be healthier.
      Instead they will now be ­promoting Kind bars, which have a lower sugar and calorie count, and Extra chewing gum.
      The move is part of a new sponsorship deal with Kind owners Mars ­covering this year’s women’s World Cup and 2025 Euros, and the men’s Euros in 2024 and the World Cup in 2026.
      Kerry Cavanaugh, UK marketing boss of Mars Wrigley, said: “For this latest chapter of our FA partnership it felt right to focus on a new healthier product.
      READ MORE ENGLAND TEAM
      “Our Kind bars and Extra gum are a better fit for that than Snickers.”
      Navin Singh, FA commercial director, said: “This evolving partnership aligns perfectly with our passion to encourage ­balanced lifestyles.”
      Mars, which bought the Kind brand in 2020, has been an FA sponsor since 2009.
      Last year the FA ended a 20-year sponsorship tie-up with fast food giant McDonald’s, the longest in the FA’s history.
      Most read in Football More

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      Marcus Rashford splits from childhood sweetheart fiancée & returns with girl to hotel at 5am after partying

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      ENGLAND football ace Marcus Rashford has split from his childhood sweetheart fiancée.The Manchester United striker, 25, got engaged to Lucia Loi in May last year.
      Marcus Rashford has split from his childhood sweetheart fiancée Lucia LoiCredit: Getty
      Rashford and a girl were pictured returning to his hotel at 5am in Miami
      An onlooker said: ‘Pretty girls were flocking to Marcus at the hotel. He seemed to be having a great time’
      The Man Utd ace returned to the hotel alone with one of the girls — flanked by a minder
      A source insisted: “It’s nothing complicated. The relationship ran its course and they remain very close friends.”
      The star has been taking a break in Miami and partied with girls on a night out — returning with one woman to his hotel at 5am.
      The striker had earlier being seen chatting to bikini-clad women by the hotel pool.
      According to British holiday-makers, he had use of an exclusive cabana with five-star service.
      Read More on Marcus Rashford
      They said he chatted to girls as bottles of champagne and food were delivered for them.
      He was enjoying a break in Miami as sources confirmed that he had broken up with his fiancée.
      They said the England and ­Manchester United ace split from childhood sweetheart Lucia Loi around two months ago.
      Rashford flew to Florida the day after United’s 2-1 FA Cup Final defeat to Man City last Saturday.
      Most read in Football
      He booked a suite at a hotel as he holidayed with team-mate Tyrell Malacia and pals.
      One onlooker said: “Pretty girls were flocking to Marcus at the hotel.”On Thursday, he partied at exclusive nearby nightclub Mr Jones.
      Later, at about 5am, he returned to the hotel alone with one of the girls — flanked by a minder.
      Marcus and Lucia announced their engagement last year and were pictured on holiday together three months ago.
      Marcus and Lucia announced their engagement last year and were pictured on holiday together in late MarchCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Rashford scored 30 goals in all competitions for United this season and won the Carabao CupCredit: Rex
      Some fans had credited Rashford’s return to form last season to his settled love life off the pitch.
      Marcus scored 30 goals in all competitions for United last season and won the Carabao Cup.
      The pair fell for each other at Ashton on Mersey School, in Sale, Gtr Manchester, when they were 15.
      After nine years together, they split in May 2021, blaming the pandemic and lockdown pressures.
      They reunited in January last year and four months later Rashford popped the question at a Hollywood villa after a romantic meal at seafood restaurant Catch LA.
      He confirmed their engagement on Instagram, posting an image of the pair embracing as they stood on a bed of white roses in front of a heart-shaped archway.
      Lucia — a close pal of England star Jack Grealish’s girlfriend Sasha Attwood — has travelled abroad to watch Marcus play in big games and to cheer him on.
      She was at the World Cups in Russia in 2018 and Qatar last year, where she was seen wearing a top with Rashford’s name on the back.
      Lucia, who worked as an account executive for Manchester firm Sugar PR, graduated from university in advertising and brand management with first-class honours.
      During his Miami trip, Rashford spent time coaching youngsters at the IMG Academy football camp — posting snaps on his Instagram.
      Read more on The Sun
      He is expected to join England’s squad this week for the Euro 2024 qualifying games in Malta on Friday and against North Macedonia at Old Trafford the Monday after.
      A source added: “Marcus is laser-focused on the next phase of his football career and is putting all of his focus into that.”
      Rashford is expected to meet up with the England squad on Sunday ahead of the 2024 Euros qualifying gamesCredit: Getty More

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      We achieved a dream with West Ham’s Europa Conference League win – here’s where the club goes next

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      WEST Ham United are European winners. And just saying those words feels incredible.Wednesday night’s victory in the Europa Conference League final over ACF Fiorentina will live long in the memory of Hammers fans at home and abroad.
      West Ham ran out 2-1 winners in the Europa Conference League Final against Italian club ACF Fiorentina on Wednesday nightCredit: Story Picture Agency
      As West Ham vice chair, Karren Brady was in the stands to watch the historic scenesCredit: supplied
      The celebrations that followed will for ever be etched in the history of this great club.
      Wednesday began with nervous excitement and anticipation when the directors and I arrived at Stansted airport at lunchtime.
      It was fantastic to be able to share the moment with friends and colleagues, some of whom I have worked with for many years.
      In some cases, decades.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      I have worked alongside David Sullivan for more than 30 years and he arrived looking extremely dapper in his claret and blue shirt and jacket, which he had been saving for a special occasion.
      None could have been more momentous than this.
      He was joined by his partner Ampika, armed with his favourite sweets to settle the nerves.
      My husband Paul and our son Paolo were helping to calm my nerves, until Paolo joked that my jacket was in Fiorentina colours.
      Most read in Football
      It was lilac, not purple, but I took it off just in case!
      For so many years we have travelled more in hope than expectation, but something told us this was our time.
      Work has been under way, step by step, day by day, for years to get us to a day like Wednesday, so when it came, we all wanted to savour it.
      Noise was deafening, I had goosebumps
      The Claret and Blue Army are the best in the world and we wanted to come home with the trophy for them, for manager David Moyes, for our hardworking, passionate and dedicated players and staff.
      They all deserved it so much.
      Players, staff and their friends and family were up until dawn partying in the streets of PragueCredit: AFP
      West Ham is a family, and that family has not been without its hard times.
      But those hard times mean the good times are even more special when they come.
      When we landed, I was inundated with messages of support from across the world of football.
      There was not a colleague of mine in the Premier League who did not message me to wish us luck.
      It was so heartwarming to receive this support and reminded me what a truly unifying game football is.
      As I saw the fans in Moore 6 and Rice 41 shirts, it suddenly felt very real.
      And as we approached Eden Arena, we stopped the car and jumped out for a photo, bursting with pride to see our crest up there under the words “European final”.
      This was it, West Ham United were about to play in a European final.
      The noise when our players emerged for their pre-match warm-up was deafening.
      The atmosphere was building and I had goosebumps, you could just feel the energy.
      When our supporters raised their flags and made the stands claret and blue, I was once again filled with pride.
      The first half was cagey, as you would expect from a final.
      The 15-minute break did nothing to ease anyone’s nerves, and the 45 minutes that followed were a rollercoaster of emotions for everyone.
      Every single final has its hero and it would be Jarrod Bowen who would write his name into Hammers history for ever more by sliding home the winning goal.
      Said Benrahma’s ice-cool penalty had given us a 1-0 lead just after the hour mark, with the crescendo of noise in the stadium reverberating back to East London.
      Fiorentina, the in-form team in Italy over the past couple of months, responded five minutes later with a well-taken goal by Giacomo Bonaventura, and as the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark we started to gear up for extra time.
      When the ball broke to Lucas Paqueta in the middle of the park, you just knew our Brazilian magnifico would find the right pass.
      He played a sublime ball to Jarrod, and when he broke through I just knew this was our chance and we had to take it.
      He did just that, sliding the ball home to put us 2-1 up.
      It was a completely surreal moment.
      There was absolute elation on the pitch and in the stands.
      We couldn’t quite take it in.
      I turned to my colleague, who held my hand, with tears in her eyes and she said: “This is it, I really think we’re going to do it now.”
      But with a long VAR check and five minutes on the clock, I didn’t dare believe it until that final whistle.
      I squeezed her hand and said: “Let’s wait, we’re not there yet.”
      Five minutes of added time somehow became eight minutes, but as the clock ticked down it was becoming more and more real and the tears were already beginning to fall.
      After what seemed like a lifetime, the referee blew for full time.
      We had done it. West Ham United . . .  European winners.
      We were just jumping up and down and hugging, united in jubilation and what it meant to us all.
      One of my colleagues turned to me and said: “Remember when you got the stadium and we stood in it empty and dreamed of filling it, keeping our best academy players, attracting international stars, hosting European nights and of a night like this?”
      We both knew this was a special milestone moment in beginning to realise those dreams.
      I loved every moment, we all did, but in all the elation there was also a moment of reflection for us all.
      We lost our close friend and much-loved joint chairman David Gold at the start of the year, and then his beloved daughter Jacqueline, a remarkable woman, two months later.
      Each and every one of us were thinking of them both at that moment.
      I genuinely believe they were looking down on us on Wednesday night.
      On the pitch, the immediate post-match celebrations were incredible to witness.
      All the emotion of the season came pouring out of players and staff alike, as well as the fans in the stands.
      Declan Rice sliding on his knees towards the corner flag; Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal draped in the Czech flag; Lucas Paqueta dancing the night away with his family; Mark Noble, Mr West Ham, in floods of tears; David Moyes jumping with delight, showing the world a side of him that we have all known and loved for some time.
      The scenes will stay with me for ever.
      It was one big party, and it was only just getting started.
      Watching the team lift the trophy is one of those moments you take an image of in your mind to store for ever.
      The celebrations continued long into the night.
      Players, staff and their friends and family were partying until dawn, with DJ Tony Perry on the decks, and more renditions of Cotton Eye Joe, Sweet Caroline and West Ham Are Massive than you would think possible.
      Moment to cherish for all our fans
      We, on the other hand, had to make straight for the plane to oversee plans for the long-awaited and so-very-deserved victory parade.
      We had to make sure that the fans who had not made it to Prague would get to see the trophy with their own eyes.
      I had said to Shirley, our flight attendant, to have the Champagne on ice, just in case, and that first sip tasted so wonderfully sweet.
      It was the first drink I’d had all day.
      Even David Sullivan, who hasn’t touched a drop in all the 35 years I’ve known him, as he hates the taste, had a sip, heavily egged on by the rest of us.
      He was beaming from ear to ear, we all were — because we’d achieved a dream.
      We turned down the lights and sang I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles until we landed back in Stansted at 3am.
      A generation of Hammers had never seen their club win something.
      Now, they have, and this group of players will be their heroes, carved into the history of this football club, West Ham United.
      The team received a proper East End welcome.
      The claret and blue flags, bunting and banners were already adorning the streets of East London, Essex and beyond from the start of the week.
      Wednesday night’s party rolled into Thursday night’s parade, when our heroes returned to London, boarding an open-top bus for a two-hour trip they will never, ever forget.
      Winning the Europa Conference League means so, so much to everyone connected with West Ham United.
      This is a moment to cherish for all of our fans.
      It is also a moment to build on. It’s the start of our next adventure in Europe and lays the foundation for another season of growth.
      Read more on The Sun
      We are already back to work but may just allow ourselves to bask in the glory for a little while longer.
      But then, we go again. More