Jarrod Bowen and Aaron Cresswell had a wholesome interview after beating Ipswich 3-1 on the final day, as the latter played his final match for West Ham United.

Bowen was full of praise for Cresswell, who has been at the club the whole time Bowen has been there and more. The Hammers captain passed the armband onto Cresswell when he came on for his final appearance on Sunday. A great touch.

Bowen said, “I had a couple of questions before the game and even last week, and since the news came out that he was leaving, you wouldn’t have known, and I think that’s a credit to Cress himself, the way that he applies himself every single day in training, and he’s such a big character at this Club and will be remembered forever.

“And I think, for me, that’s one of the biggest things that Cress can look at himself and wear with pride. Today he got the moment that I think he thoroughly deserved, against the club that we signed him from and finishing in front of our fans that he’s also played in front of for eleven years.

“For me, it’s been a pleasure to be in the dressing room with Cress and to be a teammate and a friend as well. We’ve had some really good moments and had some real low moments as well, but we’ve always come out with a smile on our face, and we’ve always got each other’s back. I’ll always remember him, and he got every moment that he got today.”

Cresswell was clearly touched by Bowen’s sentiment, pretty much agreeing with everything he said: “I spent a wonderful three years here [at Ipswich]. I loved every minute of it, and you just couldn’t write it for me to play my last ever game against the club I left [to join West Ham in 2014].

“It was special. I was sweating a little bit towards the end about whether I was going to get on or not, but the reception I got will live with me until the day I die.

“Every time I’ve worn this jersey, I’d like to think I’ve worn it with pride and tried to represent the Club in the right way.”

“I’m reflecting certainly over the last two weeks, and I’m just grateful for the whole journey, and we’ve been through so many lows and had some unbelievable highs.

“I’ve said it a lot this week. These moments I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. And I’ll never forget these boys; the special group we’ve had, especially over the last four, five, or six years, has been incredible.”

Aaron Cresswell has been one of the dressing room’s biggest leaders pretty much since his arrival, but he believes Bowen can and already has stepped as a crucial part of the leadership group. Bowen, along with Soucek will be the ones everyone looks to next season, and they can more than cope with that.

Cresswell said: “He (Jarrod Bowen) has been incredible, and not just this season. You look at, since he joined the Club, his numbers, his leadership. He is someone you can look to around the dressing room and rely on no matter what; through the low moments and through the high moments, he’s still going to be the same Jarrod. There’s no better player to wear the armband for me.”