I am writing this on my iPhone on a train to Boleyn Ground for the Mark Noble testimonial at 2pm this afternoon.
Mark Noble has been a Hammer as long as I can remember. Indeed it’s hard to remember a time before he was at West Ham. He embodies everything that is good at the club.
Nobes has done something the great Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds and sir Trevor Brooking could not achieve and that is sell out the Boleyn ground for a testimonial!
Sure, it is the last season, but it is more than that and part of it is he is ‘Mr West Ham.’ If you cut him open he bleeds claret and blue.
Mark was a true West Ham fan long before he played for us;not just a fan but a diehard fan attending most games.
He really gets what it’s like to be a fan and that makes him special.
I met him a few years ago at the players awards where he picked up three awards. He stayed in the room with a queue of over one hundred fans making sure everyone got an autograph and a selfie with him.
I waited in line like everyone else and he made me feel special when it was my turn. This is part of what makes him special to the fans and makes proud to call him one of us.
Mark Noble, I salute you and wish you a great day celebrating your testimonial for two worthy causes.
I can thing of no one better to represent our club and lad us out at the Olympic Stadium next week.
One thing is for sure, when he finally hangs up his playing boots he will go back to being a West Ham fan again. That you can guarantee!
Sean
“Indeed it’s hard to remember a time before he was at West Ham.”
No, I love Nobes as much as anyone but that is just gushing hyperbole. Have you no memories of Bonds, Brooking, Devonshire, Paddon, Moore, Hurst and too many others to mention?
Well said Sean. Nobles a legend. Played for England at every level. Captain of the under 21s. Disgrace that he’s never played for England senior team. Considering West Ham fans filled the away supporters section of the ground too was that a record for West Ham supporters in the seating era? I imagine it was.