Mark Noble has signed a one-year extension to his West Ham United contract which will see him stay at his boyhood club until the end of next season.
In an open letter to supporters, Noble discussed his happiness at extending his contract for another year but confirmed his intentions to retire at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
“I am delighted to have accepted the opportunity to extend my contract with the club,” the Hammers captain said, adding: “I have also decided, after much consideration, that the 2021/2022 season will be my 18th and final one as a first team player at West Ham United.”
‘Mr West Ham’
A childhood supporter of the East London club, Noble made his West Ham debut in 2004 against Southend United in the League Cup at just 17 years old.
He has since gone on to make over 500 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 60 goals in his 17 seasons as a professional, more than justifying his nickname as ‘Mr West Ham’.
The 33 year old has been captain of the club since September 2015 after Kevin Nolan’s departure. In his career, since becoming West Ham’s designated penalty taker in 2007, Noble has become renowned for his ability to convert from 12 yards.
As of July 2020, Noble officially became the second best penalty taker of the last 20 years in world football. The midfielder ranked behind Polish goal machine Robert Lewandowski, but maintained an exceptional conversion rate of 90.5%.
Noble’s opportunities in the Hammers midfield have been limited this season due to the superb form of both Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek and the excellent partnership they have developed in the centre of the park. The midfielder has made only three Premier League starts this season, with the Hammers making a surprise push for European football.
A Leader In The Dressing Room
Manager David Moyes evidently sees Noble as maintaining an important role within the West Ham squad, on and off the pitch. His understanding of the club, its DNA, its history and its traditions, is an important tool in ensuring the club’s academy can flourish once more and allows future academy graduates to succeed and make a name for themselves in the first team.
In his open letter, the Hammers captain discussed how he decided to make his announcement at this time so he could return his focus to the team.
“I’ve made this announcement at this time so that I can now just get back to focusing with the players and staff on finishing this season as strongly as we possibly can.”
Rice has stepped in as skipper when West Ham have been without Noble this season, and the England international is seen as the most likely candidate to take over the role on a permanent basis once Noble departs.
“Can’t Comprehend”
A key reason for Noble extending his contract was the impending return of supporters to the London Stadium. “I, for one, have missed you so much.” wrote the West Ham captain.
He went on to say: “The thought of finishing my career playing for West Ham in empty stadiums is something I can’t comprehend”. As the topic of Nobles’ retirement has become more discussed in recent times, for supporters, the thought of a club legend retiring in an empty stadium was something nobody wanted to see.
“Through Thick And Thin”
West Ham fan Billy Cooper told Rising East: “If Noble ended his career this season without fans in the stadium it would’ve been absolutely criminal.”
Cooper added: “He’s stuck with us through thick and thin, he not only captains the team, he’s a fan just like us. There’ll never be another one like Mark Noble.”
After retirement, many expect Noble to be offered a coaching or ambassadorial role at the club. Noble will be hoping his next chapter remains in East London will be with the club he has called home since 2000.
A supporter, a club captain, and a man who has dedicated over 20 years of his life to representing West Ham, Noble will always hold a special place in the hearts of the Hammers faithful. He described this week how his love for the club will last “forever.”
Noble discussed, in his open letter, how: “My final wish as a West Ham United player now is simply to experience the thrill and honour of stepping out in front of you again.”
How fitting that supporters will be able to make their captain’s final wish come true, and give a true club legend the proper send-off he so deserves.
