Mark Noble will be honoured with a post-match presentation and a giant fan mosaic as part of West Ham’s plans to bid farewell to a club legend in his final home appearance this weekend.
Noble is retiring at the end of the season after making well over 500 appearances across an 18-year career with the Hammers and Sunday’s meeting with Manchester City will be a last opportunity for the London Stadium to show its gratitude.
A number of Noble’s closest former teammates will be at the game, while giant banners in the centre-circle and hanging from the roof of the stadium’s East Stand will pay homage to the midfielder with his name and shirt No16.
The 35-year-old is unlikely to start against Pep Guardiola’s side and there is not expected to be a traditional guard of honour ahead of kick-off, but both sets of fans and players will participate in a “moment of appreciation”.
Both West Ham and Noble are keen to ensure his send-off does not overshadow the magnitude of the game in a wider context ahead of kick-off.
The hosts know victory would see them climb above Manchester United into sixth and a Europa League place, while City would all-but seal the Premier League title with a win, given their significant goal-difference advantage over second-placed Liverpool.
After the match, Noble will lead David Moyes’ side on their usual end-of-season lap of honour, before a more formal presentation, conducted by Ben Shephard, offers a final tribute.
