WEST HAM will head to Andorra for their Europa League first qualifying round tie against Lusitans with co-chairman David Gold hoping it is the first leg of a long journey to reach the Champions League.
The Irons returned early to pre-season training on Monday at the club's Chadwell Heath complex, just 28 days after the final Barclays Premier League match. New boss Slaven Bilic, who earlier this month was appointed as replacement for Sam Allardyce, will need to get the squad in shape quickly ahead of the first leg against the Andorrans.
West Ham - granted a European place via the Uefa Fair Play table - are provisionally scheduled to travel to the 1,000-capacity Camp d'Esports d'Aixoval on July 2 before the return leg at the Boleyn Ground a week later. However, those fixtures could yet be reversed because of Andorra's other side Sant Julia also being drawn at home.
Furthermore, Uefa ground regulations could mean West Ham's away leg is switched to the national stadium. Were the Irons to come through the tie, they can then look forward to a second qualifying round meeting with either Birkirkara of Malta or Armenian outfit Ulisses later in July.
Gold sees no reason why West Ham should not head into their European adventure with some confidence.
"This is our entry into Europe and is the beginning of a long journey, but an exciting one at the same time," Gold said.
"We know the rewards for winning the competition is a place in the Champions League and that is the ultimate dream. I know some of the players have returned for the start of pre-season training and there is a great deal of excitement around the squad.
"This is the beginning of a new adventure and there is a really good feel around the place. We have already signed Darren Randolph and Pedro Obiang and we are working hard behind the scenes to try and strengthen the squad."
