Mark Noble

Early career

Born in Canning Town, East London, Noble played for Barking Colts and moved to Arsenal's academy at age 11. His father, however, who would drive him to training, could not always arrange the time to get Noble to training sessions due to the distance between their home in Beckton and Arsenal's academy in Hale End. Noble supported local club West Ham United as a boy, and grew up just one mile away from Upton Park. Eventually, the club showed an interest in him and Noble signed as a youth player in 2000. He became the youngest player ever to appear in their reserve team, aged 15. He became a trainee in July 2003 and made his debut in the senior team at the age of just 17 in the League Cup on 24 August 2004 in a 2–0 win against Southend United, replacing Luke Chadwick for the final 22 minutes of the game.

On 8 January 2005, on his third appearance for West Ham, Noble made his first start for the club, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 FA Cup third round win against Norwich City. He made his league debut in the Championship a week later, 15 January 2005, in a 4–2 defeat away at Wolverhampton Wanderers. On 30 May 2005, Noble played in the 2005 Football League Championship play-off final which saw West Ham beat Preston North End 1–0 to secure a return to the Premier League. He had entered the game as an 83rd-minute substitute for Shaun Newton.We think very highly of Mark. If he keeps on working hard and continues to develop as he has, there is no reason why…

Noble captained the England U18 team. He was a member of the England U19 team that beat Serbia and Montenegro U19s 3–1 in the 2005 European Championship semi-finals, although they subsequently lost the final to France. Noble made his debut for the England U21 team on 11 June 2007, coming on as substitute in the 82nd minute for Tom Huddlestone in England's 0–0 draw with the Czech Republic during the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, held in the Netherlands. He established himself in the starting XI for the remaining matches and scored twice in a dramatic semi-final penalty shootout against the Netherlands where England lost 13–12. On 11 September 2007, Noble scored his first international goal for the under-21 team against Bulgaria in a 2–0 victory, followed by two more against the Republic of Ireland on 16 October. Noble captained the U21s at the 2009 European Championships as regular captain Steven Taylor had to withdraw due to injury. The Young Lions ended the tournament as runners-up, losing 4–0 to Germany, with Noble playing his last match for the U21s. Noble was also eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland national side through his County Cork-born grandparents. In August 2014, despite stating on numerous occasions about his ambition of playing for England at senior level, it was reported by the Irish Independent that he might have been willing to make himself available for the Irish national team. Despite previous reports claiming Noble would accept a call…

Noble has been married to childhood sweetheart Carly since 2012. The couple have a son and a daughter. Their son, Lenny, plays at the West Ham United academy based in Chadwell Heath. In May 2016, Noble was granted freedom of the London Borough of Newham for his services to the borough. That same year Noble alongside Rio Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora established the Legacy Foundation, a charity that aims to deliver social and affordable housing for Local Authorities. Noble is also an avid supporter of youth/local grassroots football and during his playing days he hosted his own football camps in Essex, emphasizing fun, mental health, and community over elite development. In April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noble donated £35,000 to help vulnerable people in Essex. In November 2022, his autobiography, Boleyn Boy was published by HarperCollins. That same month Noble was honored by the city of London, being awarded the Freedom of the City of London. In March 2023, Noble received the Outstanding Contribution to London Football award at the forthcoming 2023 London Football Awards.

West Ham United

Football League Championship play-offs: 2005, 2012 England U19

UEFA European Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2005 England U21

UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2009 Individual

PFA Team of the Year: 2011–12 Championship West Ham United Hammer of the Year: 2011–12, 2013–14 West Ham United Young Hammer of the Year: 2004–05 West Ham United Hammer of the Decade (2010s): 2010–19