Mickey Ambrose reflects on a special night for special fans – West Ham United reach the semi-final of the Europa League for the first time in 46 years as Moyes hails his super hammers and Dawson does it again.

I was four when West Ham last won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1965, and 14 years of age when

West Ham finished runners up in the same competition. I’ve got my numbers right here – after all, I did pass maths O Level at St Bernard’s Secondary Catholic School in Bethnal

Green in the 1970s – but I enjoyed totting up the number of goals in last month’s stunning and memorable 3 – 0 away victory over Lyon at the Groupama Stadium/ Olympique Lyonnais. It must be that West Ham like playing at stadiums that have the word Olympic attached!

The victory meant a 4-1 aggregate victory which took the Hammers into the last four to face Eintracht Frankfurt over two legs the first at the end of April and the second the following Thursday 5 May at 8pm.

West Ham Manager David Moyes hailed his Lyon kings after they roared into a historic first European semi-final in 46 years and made a point of mentioning Craig Dawson who not only scored with a bullet header from a corner but put in a top class performance where data analysis showed the 31-year-old had 30 touches and made one interception, four clearances, and six blocks. He won two aerial duels and registered a 70 per cent rate from 17 attempted passes which is some going.

Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen also got on the scoresheet to send the fans wild singing ‘Irons’ ‘Irons’ throughout the game as they celebrated well into the night.

Dawson may have been brought down to earth with his unfortunate red card during the 1-0 loss to Chelsea on April 24, but he will play In the European matches.

Moyes’ side were underdogs heading to the city which is overlooked by the French Alps following the previous 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.

But it was the hosts, Lyon who were left with a mountain to climb, after two goals in seven minutes at the end of the first half from Dawson and Rice that put West Ham in control.

As part of my fitness regime I climb during the week at BXR Versa Climbing in Canary Wharf with Ashleigh and Faisal who put me through my paces. It’s not for the faint hearted. But once Bowen made it 3-0, it was game over and Lyon heads dropped which is what I tend to do after my 45 minute session but not in despair like the Lyon players, but because I am knackered as Studio Manager Gareth Tempest can confirm!

All roads now lead to the semi-final and notwithstanding important premiership games to come David Moyes and his team of backroom staff – First Team Coaches Stuart Pearce, Paul Nevin, Billy McKinlay, Kevin Nolan and Xavi Valero, Goalkeeper Coach – will hope the players rise to the occasion and that fans are not priced out of the game as the cost of flights to Frankfurt have rocketed.

The final word goes to Moyes, who said after the game: “I’m extremely proud of how they performed It’s a great achievement for West Ham to reach a European semi-final and we are thrilled by it. It’s difficult to get the words for it. “We don’t get the trophy tonight so we won’t be jumping around. But we have come a long way in a short period and I’m extremely proud.”

Mickey Ambrose is a former Chelsea and Charlton player who lives in Stratford

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