Ex-Premier League star who won Player of the Year award looks unrecognisable now

West Ham fans hailed the return of their 2001/02 Hammer of the Year on his first London Stadium visit – but he wasn't instantly recognisable.

Glenn Roeder's side finished seventh in the Premier League table that season and only narrowly missed out on European qualification – with Sebastien Schemmel the man to receive the top honour from fans.

To the delight of the home crowd during their 3-1 win over Leeds United on Sunday, Schemmel appeared in Stratford to show off his original trophy – as well as his Hammers tattoo.

READ MORE: West Ham hero Knollsy immortalised as WWE action figure – and it's selling for over £300

Rob Pritchard posted a snap on Twitter and explained how Schemmel, 47, made his first visit to the London Stadium and brought along his children.

A fan replied with a photo of Schemmel singing along with his fellow fans – while showing off his tattoo of their old club crest.

Andy Read's comment said: "It was great to spend the day with him singing bubbles in the supporters club and the stadium! He is such a great guy!"

Which club hero would you love to see in the stands with you at a game? Tell us in the comments section below.

A second comment read: "Top player when he won it, shame next season not so good but always put in a shift nevertheless geezer."

A third added: "What a player he was! Also, there’s no what that it was 21 years ago I saw him lift that trophy!"

A fourth agreed: "I refuse to believe it’s 21 years ago."

Schemmel played 63 league games for the club and scored a single goal between 2001 and 2003, following spells with Nancy and Metz.

He went on to play for Portsmouth and Le Havre before retiring, with his best season at West Ham the most memorable of his career.

The club once described Schemmel as 'perhaps the unlikeliest winner' of Hammer of the Year ever, after Roeder took over from club legend Harry Redknapp.

READ NEXT:

  • Knollsy left fighting tears as West Ham reward hero fan with ticket for European final

  • West Ham fans chant X-rated Dani Dyer song as she does lap of pitch with Jarrod Bowen

  • Britain's most notorious football hooligans now – death, film producer and MMA star

Source: Read Full Article