Mark Noble reveals private meet-ups with ex-West Ham star
Mark Noble recently acknowledged the turbulence of this season at West Ham United, the sporting director aware of how anti-climactic things have been at the London Stadium.
Noble has been in post on the board for almost two-and-a-half years now, and was part of the Hammers operations when the Conference League trophy was lifted in 2023.
The Hammers legend has also worked in his current role across three separate managers and head coaches – David Moyes, Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter.
Noble reveals meet-ups with former West Ham ace
Noble recently took to talkSPORT (24 April, 17:07) to give his thoughts on the West Ham United season to Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent.
‘Mr West Ham’ noted the difficult campaign the Irons had endured, and spoke of how the change of managers had altered the plans in East London quite significantly.
Noble caught up with the duo at ex-Iron Jack Wilshere’s Golf Invitational at The Grove, and also revealed he still often plays golf with former West Ham star Declan Rice.
The director admitted he and Rice do not play as often as when they were teammates due to the latter’s commitments with Arsenal, but said they meet up when possible.
Noble also recalled the days when the Hammers squad would regularly take on a full 18-hole round in large groups on days away from training.
“We used to have 10 or 12 golfers on a Wednesday when you were off, playing together,” he reminisced.
“I still play with Dec quite a lot – though he’s obviously quite busy with Champions League stuff… so whenever we can, to be honest.”
Hammers aim to bounce back after Southampton rage
Noble has always been an honest character at one with the West Ham supporters, of whom he is and always will be one of their own.
The Irons’ former number 16 is right to acknowledge the downfalls of a campaign so eagerly anticipated by the supporters, given the levels of money invested into the squad only to now sit fourth-bottom of the Premier League.
The latest of many frustrating results was the London Stadium draw with Southampton last Saturday (19 April), after which Niclas Fullkrug let fly in his post-match interview about the lack of motivation in the side.
| West Ham – final five | Date |
| Brighton (A) | 26 April |
| Tottenham (H) | 4 May |
| Manchester United (A) | 11 May |
| Nott’m Forest (H) | 18 May |
| Ipswich (A) | 25 May |
Potter admitted his senior German striker was entitled to his viewpoint, and now he will look to lead his side more positively into the final five matches of the Premier League season.
West Ham fans want the campaign done and the new one to begin – that’s been ascertained for months – but now the focus must be on Saturday’s return to Potter’s former club Brighton & Hove Albion (26 April).