‘It has to be Noble 16 – retired’ – Declan Rice wants West Ham skipper honoured
West Ham stand-in skipper Declan Rice has called for the club to retire Mark Noble’s number 16 shirt when he hangs up his boots after next season.
Noble announced last week that next season will be his last with the club in an open letter to the supporters. He has made 397 Premier League games for the Hammers, and is currently our second-highest scorer in the competition with 46 goals.
Speaking to Soccer AM on Saturday [11.45 am], Rice claimed the club won’t be the same without the captain and wants him to be honoured when he retires. Discussing the announcement, Rice said: “Love him to pieces, I’m gutted.
“At least we’re going to get one more season with him next year, it’ll be special. Hopefully, we’ll get the fans back to give him a great send-off. West Ham without Mark Noble isn’t going to feel the same, it won’t be the same.
“There has to be something for him. Retire the 16 shirt I reckon. It won’t feel the same seeing another name above the 16. It has to be Noble 16 – retired.”
Elite company
West Ham currently has two players shirts retired. Bobby Moore, the greatest defender England has ever produced. Still to this day he is the only man to lift the World Cup for England.
The other is Dylan Tombides. One of the bravest young men football has ever known. He battled testicular cancer for three years, and even made his debut for the club whilst in the middle of his chemotherapy. His number 38 was retired along with Bobby Moore.
It’s a wonderful gesture for Noble, but in all honesty, we’re not sure that he’d want it. In fairness to Nobes, it has never been about him. He has always had the club at the forefront of his mind in everything that he does.
He will be remembered in elite company when he retires. Deservedly, he’s considered a West Ham for his dedication and service to the club. Noble should be honoured in some form, we’re not sure what it would be just yet, though. Let’s enjoy his last season in claret and blue, for the time being.
In other West Ham news, we took a look back on the 2-2 draw with Arsenal in 2009, and the forgotten Italian maverick.