- Julien Faubert spent five seasons with West Ham United between 2007 and 2012
- France winger's final appearance was the Championship Play-Off final win over Blackpool
- Le Havre-born player believes Bilic and Payet can lead the Hammers to the next level
The former France international became a favourite among the Claret and Blue Army for his determined, honest and hard-working displays.
Faubert, who made 121 appearances between 2008 and 2012, spoke exclusively to whufc.com about his own career, his close relationship with the Hammers and the positive impact made by manager Slaven Bilic and fellow countryman Dimitri Payet.
“I have amazing memories of my time at West Ham, and I can’t really choose one, to be honest,” recalled the Le Havre-born player, who is currently talking to potential employers after ending last season at Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock.
“The 2012 Championship Play-Off final, when we scored at the end was an incredible feeling for us and the fans – I still watch Ricardo Vaz Te’s goal and the celebrations on YouTube!
“I still have a special relationship with the fans because they still talk to me and show their love and support on social media, even if I'm not a West Ham player. Where can you see that, except in England and especially at West Ham?
“West Ham is my team – I still follow the club’s result and watch every game on the TV, so my love for the club and the fans is still the same.”
I still watch Ricardo Vaz Te’s goal and the celebrations on YouTube!
Faubert thoroughly enjoyed watching the Hammers in action last season, when Bilic led them to seventh in the Premier League, a dramatic run to the FA Cup quarter-finals and European qualification.
The 32-year-old said the arrival of the new manager and his signings, including Payet, Italy defender Angelo Ogbonna and Argentinean playmaker Manuel Lanzini, had taken the Club to a new level ahead of the imminent move to a new 60,000-capacity Stadium.
“The coach and the signings made a huge difference and step forward for the Club,” Faubert observed, “and that what West Ham needed because with the Stadium move, West Ham need some big results and need to play in European competition.
“So, for me West Ham is going to be in the top four and play for the title every year. I'm so happy for that because the Club deserves it because it has history and the best fans in England.
“There was already a crazy atmosphere at the Boleyn Ground and during the Play-Off final at Wembley, so I can't imagine what it will be like at the former Olympic Stadium. My only disappointment is not being able to play in front of the 60,000 amazing West Ham fans.”
The 32-year-old said the arrival of the new manager and his signings, including Payet, Italy defender Angelo Ogbonna and Argentinean playmaker Manuel Lanzini, had taken the Club to a new level ahead of the imminent move to a new 60,000-capacity Stadium.
“The coach and the signings made a huge difference and step forward for the Club,” Faubert observed, “and that what West Ham needed because with the Stadium move, West Ham need some big results and need to play in European competition.
“So, for me West Ham is going to be in the top four and play for the title every year. I'm so happy for that because the Club deserves it because it has history and the best fans in England.
“There was already a crazy atmosphere at the Boleyn Ground and during the Play-Off final at Wembley, so I can't imagine what it will be like at the former Olympic Stadium. My only disappointment is not being able to play in front of the 60,000 amazing West Ham fans.”
While Faubert himself will miss out on playing at the London Stadium, he is excited by the prospect of compatriot Payet doing so in a West Ham shirt next season.
His fellow France international excelled last term and is currently enjoying an outstanding UEFA Euro 2016 for Les Bleus, and the former Bordeaux man expects Payet to continue to produce the goods for the Hammers in 2016/17.
“Dimitri is a big player now and has made a huge step of his career,” he said. “His quality has improved.
“I played against him and he already had this quality, but he has taken his responsibility at West Ham to lead the team and is a different, bigger player now. I know why this has happened – at West Ham it’s the best atmosphere to play your best football because the Club and the love from the fans make you a different player.
“I hope he is going stay many years at West Ham to show his best football for himself, the fans and the team.”
His fellow France international excelled last term and is currently enjoying an outstanding UEFA Euro 2016 for Les Bleus, and the former Bordeaux man expects Payet to continue to produce the goods for the Hammers in 2016/17.
“Dimitri is a big player now and has made a huge step of his career,” he said. “His quality has improved.
“I played against him and he already had this quality, but he has taken his responsibility at West Ham to lead the team and is a different, bigger player now. I know why this has happened – at West Ham it’s the best atmosphere to play your best football because the Club and the love from the fans make you a different player.
“I hope he is going stay many years at West Ham to show his best football for himself, the fans and the team.”