Mark Noble joins list of football's greatest one club men

With the closing of the curtain on the 2021/22 domestic football season came the closing of the curtain on Mark Noble’s playing career, after an 18-year stint with West Ham.

For many outside of the West Ham bubble – pun intended – Noble’s retirement admittedly won’t mean all that much. A dependable midfielder who, at his best, was arguably one of England’s best, despite never gaining full international honours, without ever making much of a fuss.

Noble’s legacy is much more than that, however, to West Ham fans and wider football. With his retirement is the confirmation of another one club footballer – a feat that only continues to become more rare in the modern game.

Some people might consider that controversial as Noble did spend time on loan at Hull and Ipswich at the beginning of 2006, but for a man who joined the Hammers in 2000 as a youth having grown up supporting the club, and has since retired with the most appearances for the club and the nickname ‘Mr. West Ham’, we think an exception can be made regarding the loan spells.

One club players are only going to become more and more rare, certainly at football’s top level, so for Noble to achieve such an accolade with West Ham in recent times is nothing short of incredible.

Even at the end of his career, he has opted to hang up the boots instead of enjoying a year or two abroad or in a lower division, which is often what many will do. That is sincere dedication to the club he loves.

That’s had us scratching our heads at GIVEMESPORT, thinking about the greatest one club players in men’s football. And in honour of Noble’s retirement after such a stellar career, now feels as good a time as ever to take a look at the rare hall of fame he has joined.

Signing for Arsenal