Mark Noble, born on May eighth, nineteen eighty-seven, is an esteemed English former professional footballer who made his mark as a central midfielder. A lifelong supporter of West Ham United, Noble dedicated eighteen years to the club, where he not only showcased his skills on the pitch but also served as the club captain for seven years. His remarkable journey with West Ham culminated in his retirement at the end of the twenty twenty-one to twenty-two season.
Throughout his illustrious career, Noble earned the affectionate nickname 'Mr West Ham' due to his unwavering commitment to the club. He holds the record for the most Premier League appearances for West Ham and was the longest-serving player in the squad at the time of his retirement, having been a part of the first team since two thousand four. His contributions were recognized with the Hammer of the Year trophy on two occasions, and he was honored as the Hammer of the Decade at the close of the 2010s.
Noble's talent extended beyond club football, as he represented England at various youth levels, including U16, U17, U18, U19, and U21, where he captained the U21 side and scored three goals in twenty matches. Renowned for his exceptional penalty-taking ability, he was rated in twenty twenty as the player with the second highest penalty conversion rate globally over the past two decades, achieving an impressive ninety point five percent, just shy of Robert Lewandowski's ninety-one point one percent.
After hanging up his boots, Noble returned to West Ham in January twenty twenty-three, taking on the role of sporting director, where he continues to influence the club he has loved since childhood.