Mark Noble has sent a final farewell message to the West Ham fans after bringing an end to his career 18 years on from making his debut for the club.
The 35-year-old retired with 550 appearances for the Hammers to his name, saying his goodbyes to the supporters on an emotional occasion at the London Stadium against Manchester City in the penultimate match of the season.
In a long statement posted on social media, Noble reflected on that final home game and the support he has received over the last few weeks.
Noble said: “It’s still a bit surreal to think that I have played my last game for West Ham United. But now that the dust has settled, I feel it is the right time to say a few words.
“I’ve had so many lovely messages and comments from people over the last few weeks, far too many to reply to individually, and I want to express how grateful and appreciative I am for all the love and support I have received.
“My final home game at the London Stadium was a day I will never forget. To walk out of the tunnel after the match and see that 60,000 people had stayed behind to say goodbye was a very special moment for both myself and my family and something I will forever be truly grateful for.
“I really couldn’t have asked for a more perfect way to round off 18 years in a West Ham shirt surrounded by people I love.”
Noble has certainly left the club in a good place, with top-seven finishes in the Premier League in both of the last two seasons under David Moyes. It’s been a remarkable turnaround from the 2019/20 campaign, when the Hammers avoided relegation by just five points.
In his final year at West Ham, he made nine appearances in the run to the Europa League semi-finals, where the team ultimately fell short against eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt.
“I would like to thank everyone who helped me to make my last season such an enjoyable and memorable one,” Noble’s statement continued.
“My teammates, the manager and coaches, the owners and directors, all of the staff and my friends at the club and you, the supporters, who really did follow us over land and sea throughout the campaign. What a year we’ve had.
“To be a part of this group of players has been a truly magnificent experience. So many fantastic moments and memories on the pitch that we have shared with the fans, and a special environment and spirit in the dressing room that made it a pleasure to go into work every morning.
“I also want to mention the other senior players who are leaving the club this summer, Andriy Yarmolenko Ryan Fredericks and David Martin. Three fantastic professionals who have given West Ham great service but more importantly, three great people who will always be my friends.
“West Ham fans will know what I mean when I say this club is about more than just supporting a football team. It’s about people, family, relationships and a unique identity. Over the last two seasons, I really feel like we have reconnected to that identity.
“We have a manager and a group of players and staff who are hardworking, committed and all pulling in the same direction. That gives me such great satisfaction and means I retire feeling very positive and confident about the club’s future.”
Noble joked ahead of the City match that he was looking forward to lying on a beach while Craig Dawson would be marking Erling Haaland next season, a transfer that helped convince the midfielder that the timing of his retirement was right.
It seems almost inevitable that he will return to West Ham at some point in the future, though it remains to be seen what that role would be.
“I don’t know yet exactly what the next chapter will hold for me,” Noble said.
“The club have made it very clear that there is a role here when I am ready. For now, it’s time to spend some valuable time with my family and enjoy my first summer in more than 20 years without pre-season training.
“Whatever happens though, my connection and bond with West Ham United will never be broken. Playing for and captaining this club has been a privilege, an honour and a dream come true for a young boy from Canning Town.
“To every single person who has been on any part of that journey with me. Thank you. Lots of love. Nobes.”
