Faubert Thanks West Ham Fans

Julien Faubert's mother sadly passed away last Thursday. Faubert travelled to France last week but returned to England to play in West Ham's Blackburn game. Faubert not only played but put in a really good performance and showed his feelings towards the end of the game when he encouraged the West Ham fans to get behind the team.

Faubert has now thanked the West Ham fans for the support that they have shown him in this difficult time.

"I am so pleased to have received these messages from our supporters. I can't tell you what it means to me."

"It is so nice. It just shows that the fans don't only get behind the players when we are playing on the pitch. Also when we have difficulties in our own lives, they make an effort to send in a message. This has helped me a lot, especially at this time.

"This is why I love England and West Ham so much. It is not just the team but everyone else behind the players, it is very special."

"I definitely wanted to play. There was no question for me. This is what I wanted to do for my mum and for West Ham.

"She would have been saying, 'whatever happens, I want you to play'. She would say 'you have to go on, go forward with your life and with your football - you have a job to do and a son of your own to look after'.

"I am a professional footballer with a duty to West Ham. It was hard but I didn't want to let West Ham down either."

"My mother was an inspiration. She was the one there for me when I was growing up, I lived with her all the time and she supported me in every way, whether it was buying me boots or driving me to training or games.

"I was born in a poor area of Le Havre, so it was difficult and she made a lot of sacrifices for me. I know she is happy and proud of me and I have good memories.

"It's a difficult time for me and my family, but I have my wife and son helping me through this as well as the fans and everyone here at West Ham. This will help me to go forward."