Lampard praises supporters

Thank Lampard: Frank Lampard thanked the Chelsea fans for supporting him through a turbulent year

13 April 2012

Frank Lampard said today he is determined to win the Premier League title back for Chelsea's fans who have supported him in a very difficult year.

The 30-year-old comes up against former club West Ham on Sunday determined to repay the faith shown in him when he first arrived at the Bridge seven years ago.

He said: "It was a difficult year when I arrived and I wasn't playing outstandingly well but they took to me, gave me a chance and in the second year got fully behind me.
"The way they are with me on the pitch and off the pitch, I feel very strongly as a Chelsea person and it's overtaken my life. I can't forget that.
"It's well documented that there was the potential to leave in the summer [for Inter Milan] but I didn't want to let down the people who supported me over the years."

The club and fans also rallied around Lampard after his mother, Pat, passed away last season.

Lampard added: "It's been a terrible year for me because of my personal situation and that supercedes football.

"Football has been tough but on the pitch it's been relatively successful."