Tuesday 26 May 2015 16:39, UK
West Ham will enter the Europa League qualifiers after finishing top of the Premier League Fair Play League.
The Hammers, who sacked manager Sam Allardyce after a final-day 2-0 defeat at Newcastle saw them finish 12th, will be among 104 teams whose European campaigns will begin with the first qualifying round on July 2.
In a joint statement, co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold welcomed the news and were enthusiastic over the possibility of European football gracing Upton Park in its final season.
“We are delighted to have won a place in the UEFA Europa League as we want to ensure the Boleyn Ground the best send-off possible, and progress in this competition will certainly help with that," the statement read.
"Starting in early July will bring its challenges, but everyone at the Club, from the Board to the players and supporters will be relishing the opportunity to feature on the European stage. It should be a fantastic experience.”
West Ham, who last qualified for Europe in 2006-2007 when they were beaten FA Cup finalists, have three rounds to negotiate before August's play-off round determines the 22 teams advancing to the group stage.
And the Hammers will find out their opponents when the draw is made for the first and second qualifying rounds on June 22.
