The French wing-back signed initially on a one-month loan spell from Metz as temporary replacement for the injured Trevor Sinclair. The French club reportedly placed a £1.5million price tag on his head at the end of his loan spell. However the Hammers captured “Super Seb” for a bargain £465,000. Single-mindedly ploughing a furrow up and down the right flank, Schemmel had endeared himself into the hearts of the effort-loving East Enders for his relentless, selfless, never-say-die approach to the Hammers’ cause which won him the “Hammer of the Year Award 2002”  as well as picking up the Peterborough Hammers “Player of the Season 2001/02”