Zamora: Noble has been the heartbeat of West Ham

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Hammers' skipper set to make final career appearance at the Amex on Sunday.

Charlie Hanson

2022-05-19T05:00:00Z

Mark Noble could make is final West Ham appearance on Sunday at the Amex.

Bobby Zamora has paid tribute to Mark Noble ahead of what will be the West Ham captain’s final professional game at the Amex on Sunday.

The former Hammers and Albion striker spent time with Noble in both the West Ham academy and first team, having grown up near each other.

“Mark comes from the same area as me and came through the same youth system. He knows what it means to play for West Ham,” Zamora said.

“He’s a few years younger than me so I saw him as a mini-me in many respects! Even back then he was great for the dressing room and has always led by example.

Bobby Zamora scored 90 goals in total for Albion.

“With the changes in players and management at West Ham, the fact that Mark has been the heartbeat of the team after all the years speaks volumes for him as a player and as a captain.”

A West Ham fan, Zamora loved watching some of the club’s legends while he came through the ranks and says Noble’s place among them is now secure.

“West Ham spotted me playing for my Sunday side Senrab. I signed schoolboy forms and we’d be given tickets to watch the team at the Boleyn Ground.

“My favourite players was Tony Cottee, and we had the likes of George Parris and Julian Dicks in the side. It was always a great atmosphere and I count myself honoured to have played for the club that I grew up supporting.”

Zamora’s return to Upton Park from Tottenham in 2004 was a hectic experience, but certainly proved to be worthwhile.

“It was transfer deadline day and it was a mad one with Leeds wanting to sign me as well. They were still in the Premier League at the time, but the pull of West Ham was too great and, although it was a drop into the Championship, the squad they had under Alan Pardew was more than good enough to go up.

“I scored on my debut against Bradford and then again on my home debut – the winner against Cardiff. That was such a memorable occasion. I remember singing ‘Bubbles’ as we walked out and it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It was good to hit the ground running because strikers are judged on the goals they score, simple as that.”