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Axed skipper Nolan says ‘thanks for the memories’

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nolanFormer skipper Kevin Nolan has released a goodbye message on whufc.com to thank Hammers staff and fans for making his time at the club so enjoyable and rewarding.

After news that Nolan was being released by the club after four years at the Boleyn, the former Newcastle and Bolton ace has given a warm-hearted ‘thank you’ to supporters and hinted he may stay in London as his son “speaks like a cockney now”!

This season, the 34-year-old has struggled to make his way into new boss, Slaven Bilic’s first-team plans. Keen to continue his distinguished playing career, Nolan agreed to have his contract terminated this morning and he’s now looking for a new club.

But there’s no acrimony as Nolan’s statement (which was signed ‘Nobby’ in reference to his name on the terraces to supporters reveals.

“Since the first day I came to West Ham I’ve really enjoyed my time at the Club,” he said. “It was a Club which was at rock bottom at the time, having just been relegated and a lot of changes had gone on behind the scenes.

“It was a challenge I was really looking forward to and thankfully that great day we had at the Play-Off Final got us up.

Although we weren’t great on the day at Wembley, we thoroughly deserved the promotion so I was delighted with that.

“Then to sustain the Premier League status for so long – and so easily – after coming up was such a fantastic achievement

“The Play-Off Final will go down as one of the best days of my career. I’ve scored a couple of hat-tricks in the Premier League too and I still remember the one against Reading quite vividly. They had won the league the previous season, but that game came at the end of the season when they were down and we had stayed up comfortably, so that was another great day.

“There were the two legs of the Play-Off Semi as well. I could go through a good few of them to be honest, but they are the ones that stand out from my point of view.
 
“This has been a fantastic time for me since I walked in the door. I’ve had just over four fantastic years and I’d like to thank everyone who has made it so easy for me to settle down here with my family.

“My boy speaks like a cockney now, so I don’t know if I’ll be moving back to Liverpool any time soon! Since I’ve come here it’s felt like home and it’s a real possibility that it’ll be home for a long time so I thank everyone who has made that possible from inside the Club to all the players I’ve played with.

“People don’t see the staff behind the scenes who work so hard for us, and obviously I’d like to thank the fans too.

“A little part of me wishes I was a bit younger when I came here so I could be part of what is going to be a fantastic transition going into the Olympic Stadium. I’ve seen all the videos and everything that’s gone into it and it’s going to be something special.

“It’s exciting times for the Club and it’s about the boys now making sure they keep that Premier League status this season and building to ensure that they then go on and start challenging the European clubs because that Stadium will deserve it.

“Thanks for everything.”

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2 comments

  • navajoHAMMER says:

    Agreed, he helped bring the squad back together and put in some good performances on the field during promotion and the first season back. Great captain and hope to see him in a coaching capacity soon.

  • Hammer64 says:

    I believe Kevin Nolan played a big part in stabilising the club over the last four years. He played a key role at times on the pitch, but I reckon he was always a good influence in the dressing room. Not all the fans shared this view & some resented him because he was close to BS, but he never let the club down. His final statement shows the same dignity he maintained in the face of some unfair treatment from the boo boys.

    For my money he goes down as one of the best captains in my time as a fan-57 years-and as a real professional. Thanks & all the best for the future-just don’t comeback & score a tap in from 5 yards or I’ll take all that back!

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