Ian Darke says what he was told behind the scenes by Freiburg chiefs shows how big West Ham are now

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Ian Darke says what he was told behind the scenes by Freiburg chiefs shows how big West Ham United are now.

West Ham really are massive everywhere they go it seems.

But don’t take our word for it.

A return to Germany this week provided the perfect yard stick to show just how far West Ham have come under David Moyes.

Eighteen months ago the Hammers showed their European inexperience when they were beaten by Eintracht Frankfurt in that feisty Europa League semi-final.

But West Ham looked every inch a proper European outfit when they returned to Germany to beat Freiburg 2-1 last night.

West Ham fans love reminding everyone that they are ‘champions of Europe’ and rightly so.

Hammers supporters also belt out their chant ‘West Ham are massive, everywhere they go’ at games.

They didn’t get the chance to do that over in Germany on Thursday night due to UEFA banning them from attending Freiburg’s 35,000 capacity Europa-Park.

But West Ham were still very much massive according to a legendary commentator covering the game.

Ian Darke says what he was told behind the scenes by Freiburg chiefs shows how big West Ham are now.

Speaking during live coverage on TNT Sports, Darke was talking about the UEFA ban and noted it felt unfair that a minority had spoiled it for the majority of West Ham fans who have followed the club impeccably over land and sea in recent seasons.

Darke then revealed the Hammers have become a major draw in Europe.

He said on air that Freiburg chiefs told him there were no problems selling West Ham’s allocation of the stadium to home fans as a result of the ban.

Because Darke claims he was told the German club could have sold 70,000 tickets for the match such was the demand.

That’s twice the ground’s capacity.

Freiburg supporters were superb on the night and created a fantastic atmosphere.

Like West Ham, they have spent decades living in the shadows of more illustrious German clubs.

So it is nice to see their fans – like West Ham’s – being rewarded with good times and European nights.

West Ham really are massive everywhere they go.

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