Let me say first and foremost that I think Mark Noble is the most admirable of guys.
He always says the right things at the right time and has been excellent during the close down in all he has declared publicly.
As a one club man from childhood he deserves nothing but praise and truth is he can sill hack it at Premier League level – far more so than many others who can give him a few years.
Obviously age slows us all down and to knock the guy because he ain’t as quick as he once was is an insult – we all go there.
Those saying such things let themselves down – nobody else.
We don’t know yet of course, as the rabble rousing goes on, whether this season will be completed but if it isn’t, we and no doubt Mark himself, accept the fact that we may have seen his last as a first team regular.
He has said himself in the recent past the team can’t keep on expecting him to do it in every game.
We all owe him …every one of us but he rises 34 on May 8 and although he obviously has some football left in him with what we are likely to have available to us not as a starting X1 member.
I see that as being – when they are all available – Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek, Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen when they are fit – with the current skipper on the bench.
Mark’s going to be around this club for the next few years as a squad player making less frequent appearances from the start and later on join the backroom team.
I just want to say in closing how very, very lucky we are to have the man at West Ham – he’s been a star and will be with us both as a training ground presence and club ambassador for years to come.
Let’s hope, whatever happens in the next couple of years, that the club treat him better than they did Steve Potts.
Never even got chance to say thank you.
Great words and as one of his biggest fans admirable sentiments. At the weekend I watched a re-run of his testimonial on you tube and it was amazing. Well worth watching for all hammers fans, and all football fans. Full house at the Boleyn, says it all doesn’t it. I hope in a few years time when he does hang up his boots the club give him a full time roll in some capacity as I’m sure he’d do a great job ⚒
You’re so right. Hope we have learned from a history of such mistakes including Allison Mooro and others
Great article about Nobes and richly deserved words of praise. Yesterday I received his letter to senior fans – that says everything about our club captain and is a resounding example of your comments about him. He has been great as captain and player and no doubt will be a superb squad player and motivator. Top man.
100% well said Hugh
I got my seniors letter from him today. Would not be surprised if he paid for it. This guy is class.
The word LEGEND is thrown around a fair bit these days and it is like many supporters up and down the country have lost the true meaning of the word… I feel that have been around long enough to know the TRUE meaning of the word. Bobby Moore, Hurst, Peters, Bonds, Brooking….. the list goes on. But Mark Noble IS a West Ham legend and has joined those Legends.
He IS Mr West Ham and he has achieved his Status both ON and OFF the pitch and I truly EXPECT him to be at this club forever and I expect him to manage this club at some point in the Future.
Mark Noble, Mr West Ham……… True West Ham Legend!
Always remember when he was in his prime and the Hammers got relegated, he elected to stay and get the Hammers back in to the premiership again ? Roy Hodgson managed Fulham at the time and who were safe in the Premiership and tried to sign him but he didn’t want the move and later Hodgson was named as England manager and chose Drinkwater in midfield and bypassed our unsung hero for being loyal to the Hammers and was just as good or better than Drinkwater at that time ! IMO Hodgson remembered that and so he never got that final cap for England as a full England international for not going to Fulham, under Hodgson but had attained every cap at youth and under 23″s level for England including being a captain for being loyal to the club I believe he loves.
Mark Noble has been an outstanding servant of the club. He and Rob Green (not Tevez who didn’t score a goal that season until February!) saved West Ham from relegation in 2007. Having been present at all but 2 home games in the past 2 seasons, it has become evident to me that time has caught up with him. Time stops for no man.
Absolutely spot on Hugh. I hope Mark stays at the club in some role for years to come as he is a great presence around the training ground and dressing room. Let’s hope when the time comes,which will be imminent, he is phased out from a playing role with the dignity he deserves. Good on ya Nobes, you’re a legend!
Good piece Hugh – The SIBV raises the issue of Steve Potts – I seem to remember that Pottsy had made 499 appearances for the hammers and was on the bench for the last game of Rodent’s first season (when we finished 7th I think) – the Rodent didn’t bring him on (I think we drew the game) because he said he wanted to show that he took the game seriously – terrible decision in my opinion
Since we are not winning titles we get our pleasure from celebrating players like Potts and Noble who give everything for the club
Certainly a good captain now probably falls to rice or oggy and laughed at the bit about pace which like mooro never had any anyway! But his legs at 34 wont be now up to any good and will probably result in him committing for fouls . Would love to see him become a coach for the youth teams and hope the club see that his loyalty is rewarded.
As West Ham fans, maybe more so than most other clubs, we appreciate loyalty as indicated in previous posts. It has disappointed me hearing some sections berate Mark in recent years. All based on our desire for European football and that he’s not good enough, and yet, every manager in his service has selected him, but we know better??? I believe he deserves all the plaudits we can lavish on Nobes, he would always be the 1st name on the sheet v Spurs for example. It’s not over yet, by a long stretch, but I for one, greatly appreciate his commitment to our club.