Law forced early Boleyn fireworks finale

The 45-minute late kickoff due to the Manchester United late arrival forced major changes to the closing ceremony at the Boleyn Ground last night, the biggest of which was to stage the finale first instead last.

UK law prohibits the setting off of fireworks past 11pm except on bonfire night, New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year.

Event organisers of the ceremony, Event 360 together with specialist pyrotechnic company, Pains fireworks were fighting against the clock to complete the pyrotechnic show before 11pm to keep within the regulations but the result was the ceremony was shown back to front.

The pyrotechnic show to the tune of Twist and Shout which was without a doubt the highlight of the disappointing closing ceremony and it went downhill from there. One West Ham insider described it as ‘a shambles‘