Even at Arsenal i dreamed of West Ham
By Hammerette
Without doubt, One of West Ham’s and England’s great rising stars since the arrival of Joe Cole, His dream was always to play for the club he loved, West Ham United, now he tells us how being with West Ham is giving him the best time of his life.
Best Time Of My Life
YOUNG England midfielder, MARK NOBLE, joined the West Ham United Academy as an 11-year-old from Arsenal!
“Yes, it’s true, I started out with the Arsenal academy, but I always wanted West Ham United to come in for me,” Mark revealed.
Mark was born and raised a five minute walk from the Boleyn Ground in Plaistow and attended the Royal Docks Community School. Since as far back as he can remember he dreamed that one day he would play for West Ham United, the team he and his family supported.
“There is and always has been one Club for me, and as I said, even when I was training with Arsenal, I was waiting from the call from West Ham United scouts, inviting me to join them.” said Mark.
“After my first day at Chadwell Heath I recall telling my parents how friendly and helpful everyone had been, not only to me, but all the other boys training with us.”
“Even though my mum and dad, like me, are Hammers through and through, they never put me under any pressure to join the club. They allowed me to do whatever I wanted and encouraged me all the way.
Even if I just went over the park to have a kick about with my mates, something I did very often, it was okay with them.”
“They were also impressed with the staff at the Academy and the attention to detail like the welfare of all the boys and how they created a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.”
“As a youngster the Academy kicked-off the start of the best time of my life and West Ham United quickly became my second home.”
“My first coach at West Ham was Dean Wells, but the biggest influences on my Academy career were Colin Reid, Tony Carr, Kevin Keen and Paul Heffer. I can never repay any of them for their help and guidance, not only on the field either.”
“All Academy players receive the best coaching available, they are also taught how important it is to conduct themselves properly at all times and realise they are representing themselves, club and quite often, country.”
“As I was progressing at youth-level, players such as Joe Cole, Micheal Carrick and Jermain Defoe had just broken through to the first-team. Watching them train and play was an enormous benefit to me and the other young players and represented targets for us to aim for.”
Mark made rapid progress at the Academy, and soon gained England Schoolboy honours.
“I recieved a letter inviting me for trials al Lilleshall and then I was selected for England Under-15s to play Ireland, the year above my level. It was an unbelievable moment in my career.”
“I’ve spoken to players with other clubs and can honestly say the set- up at West Ham makes it one of the best youth schemes in the game.”
“it’s definitely the most successful in developing young talent and bringing them through to first team level. Just have a look at the list of players who’ve graduated from the Hammers Academy down through the years and you realise just how big a contribution this club has made to the game in general since the 1960’s.”
As he was coming up through the youth teams, Mark, at the age of 15, became the Club’s youngest player to appear for the Reserves. He then made his senior debut in August 2004, from the substitutes’ bench in a 2-0 home victory against Southend United in the Carling Cup.
Mark’s full debut came on the 8th January 2005 v Norwich City in a FA Cup Third Round tie at the Boleyn Ground, again he came of the field a winner.
Having captained England Under-18s and helping the Hammers win promotion back to the Premiership in the Play-Off Final against Preston. Mark was chosen as the Young Hammer of the Year for 2004-05.
What are his future ambitions?
“To help West Ham remain a Premiership Club, go on to be successful with them and to follow other Academy graduates and represent them as a full England international.”
“Whatever I achieve in the game I owe to Tony Carr, Kevin Keen, Paul Heffer and all the Academy staff. They don’t get enough credit for what they’ve done for the club and the boys who have progressed through the youth system.”
“I would certainly recommend the West Ham United Academy to any youngster wanting a career in the game. Providing they have the necessary talent and are prepared to work hard, be dedicated with a determination to succeed, then this is the place to be.”
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April 4th, 2008 at 11:30 PM
He would never had made it to the Arsenal 1st team ranks anyway, so we are well rid of him if you ask me
April 4th, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Great post. i love Marky hes so sexy. Can you imagine how damaging it was for him at 11 to have to wear an Arsenal shirt?
he looks so much better in Claret & Blue.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:48 PM
hope you keep hold of him and he fulfills his great potential
April 4th, 2008 at 11:49 PM
Gunneroo (Australia)
You fool thats why Arsene Wenger wants to buy him ….
April 4th, 2008 at 11:56 PM
Guneroo its obvious your from oz, you pleb, i would love it if Noble came back to Arsenal, we need some young talent like his, but after reading this post, i doubt very much if theres any chance of that, unless Mark dosnt mind a beating from his mum and dad lol, good luck mark, all the best.
April 5th, 2008 at 12:25 AM
Guneroo, i think a majority of Arsenal fans would be happy to have Noble back
April 5th, 2008 at 2:22 AM
Hes gorjus, oh yeh hes also a brill player
April 5th, 2008 at 7:15 AM
An Australian with sour grapes sounds like the norm!! what an idiotic thing to come out with!! he was 11 you muppet and he wanted to play for the team he loves like any of us would and he wouldnt be where he is now if he had stayed at arsenal because he is not french!
Im not suprised to to see that Mr Wenger would like to sign him but the gooners have no chance but if he ever did leave i would prefer him to go to arsenal than chelski or the spuds thats for sure!
April 5th, 2008 at 8:05 PM
he would always have found his way to west ham
why?…because…
1)he probably hates arsenal just like every other hammers fan.
2)he knows just what that p******* (arsene wenger) would do to him had he stayed.
3)he’s British therefore he wouldn’t suit arsenal’s style of play.
4)he doesn’t know enough different languages to make any friends at arsenal.
Last of all…he’s a fu*king cockney and could only ever represent one team, WEST HAM . [i hope so anyway]
Unlucky all of you glory hunting arse fans, you ain’t never getting him back! EVER!!!
good luck with those FU*KING FOREIGNERS.
April 6th, 2008 at 9:11 PM
NOW HE CAN KEEP ON DREAMIN OF ARSENAL PLAYIN THE BEST EUROPE HAS TO OFFER IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND IN WITH A GREAT CHANCE OF WINNING ALL COMPETITIONS EVERY SEASON. GOOD MOVE MATE HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA