Lukasz Fabianski wrote his name into a long list of West Ham United legends when he collected the original Hammer of the Year trophy last week.
The silverware, which was presented to the Polish shot-stopper by Paul Christmas and Michael Searle of the Official West Ham United Supporters' Club, has been held aloft by the likes of Bobby Moore, Sir Trevor Brooking, Billy Bonds – and, between the posts, Phil Parkes and Ludek Miklosko – since the late 1950s.
Voted for by the Club’s supporters, Fabianski was named Hammer of the Year 2018/19 in May following a superb first campaign at London Stadium in which he made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League.
Receiving the award, Fabianski said: “I’m very happy that the fans voted for me to be the Hammer of the Year last season – it’s really nice to be appreciated, especially being a new member of the club.
“It’s something special to play every week in front of 60,000 people who are behind you, supporting you from the very first minute until the last. You try to do your best just to make them happy, and then you try to enjoy the game and the result as well.”
These are the people that have built West Ham up to become the great team we are... with the great set of values that we have as a football club.
Paul Christmas, Official Supporters' Club
Christmas, who was representing the Supporters’ Club’s committee, was delighted that the long-standing tradition continued with the presentation at Rush Green.
He added: “It’s something that’s been going on now since the late 1950s, and we’ve been doing it every year since then, so we’re happy to continue that tradition as the Official West Ham United Supporters’ Club.
“These are the people that have built West Ham up to become the great team we are, with the great set of people that are behind us and the great set of values that we have as a football club.”
As well as the Hammer of the Year Award, Fabianski also picked up two other prizes in May: the InterContinental London - The O2 - Save of the Season Award, and the award for Signing of the Season.
Such standout moments endeared the 34-year-old keeper, who signed from Swansea City last summer, to the Claret and Blue faithful in his debut season, and Fabianski spoke fondly of his initial time at West Ham - as well as his hopes for future success.
He said: “There’s always this situation when you join a new club where you have to earn the respect of the fans – with both your performances, and also with your behaviour off the pitch to represent the Club in the best way possible.
"That’s a non-stop work that doesn’t just finish with one season. You have to continue performing and behaving in the right manner for the whole time you’re part of this club, and then it’s up to the fans whether you’re representing the club in a good way.”
From a fan's perspective, Christmas took the opportunity to stress the importance of such positive relationships between the supporters and the players.
“It’s the most vital thing that we can possibly have as fans,” he said.
“We look to our players to represent our Club, and every Saturday to go out in the Claret and Blue and do their utmost and give one hundred per cent. If they do that, we’ll back them to the hilt.”