Mark Noble - Mr West Ham United

[theonlywayisup]

What a great read this is! I feel quite emotional reading it.

Mark Noble on West Ham retirement and 'leaving in peace' - BBC Sport (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61524319)

Born in Canning Town 35 years ago, one and a half miles down the Barking Road to Upton Park, he was a West Ham fan as a kid. He progressed to the club's academy as an 11-year-old and, if he features in the final Premier League game of the season at Brighton on Sunday, will have made 550 first-team appearances.

He says "I came through as a West Ham fan and lived, not just every West Ham fan, but every fan's dream. To play for and captain the team you grew up supporting, is why millions of people in this country pay a lot of money to go and watch their teams. They have that affiliation and loyalty."

It's rare to see such loyalty in today's football environment. Not many players have played and captained the team that they support for the whole of their career. Paul Hanlon could do similar, but there's not many in the game now.

[easty]

Lots of similarities to Hanlon.

Both club captains.

Both one club with a small loan period at the start of their careers (Noble played at Hull and Ipswich for a total of 18 games, Hanlon played 2 for St Johnstone).

Captained u21 national sides, without really having an impact in the full team (Noble uncapped, Hanlon 1).

Both named club player of the year twice.

Both been relegated and subsequently promoted with their clubs once. Both missed large chunks of the relegation season to injury.

Nobles never won a cup. Hanlons won the Scottish, playing a massive part on the way there.

I wonder if there are West Ham fans who have a similar lack of respect for Noble in the same way a number of Hibs fans do with Hanlon?

[Renfrew_Hibby]

More than a decent player just not in the 'great' category hence the one club legend status.
If he had been better he would have been off to Chelsea or Arsenal many years ago just like Lampard, Ferdinand, Ince and Hammers fan Joey Cole.

[JimBHibees]

Very emotional watching his farewell speech. Looked like every fan stayed back to watch his speech which says a lot for them and his service to the club. We really need to respect our one club legends in the same way.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zmxPeiOsE84

[JimBHibees]

Lots of similarities to Hanlon.

Both club captains.

Both one club with a small loan period at the start of their careers (Noble played at Hull and Ipswich for a total of 18 games, Hanlon played 2 for St Johnstone).

Captained u21 national sides, without really having an impact in the full team (Noble uncapped, Hanlon 1).

Both named club player of the year twice.

Both been relegated and subsequently promoted with their clubs once. Both missed large chunks of the relegation season to injury.

Nobles never won a cup. Hanlons won the Scottish, playing a massive part on the way there.

I wonder if there are West Ham fans who have a similar lack of respect for Noble in the same way a number of Hibs fans do with Hanlon?

Very good post.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

So from the last week what is yours?

[easty]

So from the last week what is yours?

Wrong thread?

[Hibby Gav]

Very emotional watching his farewell speech. Looked like every fan stayed back to watch his speech which says a lot for them and his service to the club. We really need to respect our one club legends in the same way.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zmxPeiOsE84


Great to see him getting the respect he deserves....with Paul and Lewis and Darren we are have been fortunate to have guys on the pitch that live our lives for us and their loyalty and hard work is unlikely to be matched ever again.

[MWHIBBIES]

More than a decent player just not in the 'great' category hence the one club legend status.
If he had been better he would have been off to Chelsea or Arsenal many years ago just like Lampard, Ferdinand, Ince and Hammers fan Joey Cole.

Plenty great players who stick with one club. Really do not think that should be seen as any reflection on their ability. Worse players than Noble have played for both Arsenal and Chelsea in the last 15 years.

Danny ****ing drinkwater being one.

[Haymaker]

A legend. He was too good for England.

[The Baldmans Comb]

Never heard of this guy but good for him in this day and age staying around for that long as well as being such a grounded person.

[Baader]

More than a decent player just not in the 'great' category hence the one club legend status.
If he had been better he would have been off to Chelsea or Arsenal many years ago just like Lampard, Ferdinand, Ince and Hammers fan Joey Cole.

Joe Cole grew up a Chelsea fan! It's always reported that he's a Hammer but he isn't.

[Scouse Hibee]

More than a decent player just not in the 'great' category hence the one club legend status.
If he had been better he would have been off to Chelsea or Arsenal many years ago just like Lampard, Ferdinand, Ince and Hammers fan Joey Cole.

Yeah Gerrard wasn’t great either!

[Baader]

Lots of similarities to Hanlon.

Both club captains.

Both one club with a small loan period at the start of their careers (Noble played at Hull and Ipswich for a total of 18 games, Hanlon played 2 for St Johnstone).

Captained u21 national sides, without really having an impact in the full team (Noble uncapped, Hanlon 1).

Both named club player of the year twice.

Both been relegated and subsequently promoted with their clubs once. Both missed large chunks of the relegation season to injury.

Nobles never won a cup. Hanlons won the Scottish, playing a massive part on the way there.

I wonder if there are West Ham fans who have a similar lack of respect for Noble in the same way a number of Hibs fans do with Hanlon?

Really good. Agree with all that. Especially the last bit.

[kaimendhibs]

Football legend.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk