Boleyn Boy: My Autobiography

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Mark Noble (right) making his West Ham debut in 2004 against Southend United. Photograph: Reuters/Alamy From 1st July 2021, VAT will be applicable to those EU countries where VAT is applied to books - this additional charge will be collected by Fed Ex (or the Royal Mail) at the time of delivery. Shipments to the USA & Canada:

Noble said: “It was really good to see so many supporters at the store and I’m very grateful for the effort that everyone made to come along and wait in the queue. Yet West Ham’s fans seem disillusioned with the season so far. “Probably a group of fans, yes. But there’s always going to be that at every club now. You hear people saying the fans are not happy with [Jürgen] Klopp at Liverpool. That’s the industry we work in now and, because of social media, it has become a lot louder.”The demands were draining and Noble admits there were times where “I had broken relationships with other family members”. It became difficult for him to enjoy even the good times. “You almost become immune to the good times. They just bring relief because points are so sacred in the Premier League that if you win it’s relief more than joy. Joy is when you’re 17 and you break into the first team and everyone thinks you’re a hero. But I became a senior pro at 21 and you’re expected to win, you’re expected to play well.” A modern footballing legend, Mark Noble is the embodiment of what it means to be a Hammer, pouring his heart and soul into the club he supported as a boy. Born and raised in Canning Town, Mark joined the West Ham youth squad in 2000 and made his senior-team debut aged just 17. Mark Noble delighted a hatful of West Ham United fans as the legendary skipper signed copies of his new autobiography, Boleyn Boy, at London Stadium on Thursday 17 November. You’d be surprised how many players are struggling. They’re going through issues but don’t say anything. But it is getting so much better now because some players are talking about [mental health] … and when I speak to academy players now I say: ‘Forget what you see in the public eye. Forget the nice cars, the big houses and the nice watches. That’s 2% of what it means to be a footballer.’”

I’m not sure about that,” Noble says amid his laughter. “But I love football. I love all parts of football.” If you're coming to Coles by car, why not take advantage of the 2 hours free parking at Sainsbury's Pioneer Square - just follow the signs for Pioneer Square as you drive into Bicester and park in the multi-storey car park above the supermarket. Come down the travelators, exit Sainsbury's, turn right and follow the pedestrianised walkway to Crown Walk and turn right - and Coles will be right in front of you. You don't need to shop in Sainsbury's to get the free parking! Where to Find UsDavid Moyes prepares to embrace Mark Noble, who believes his relationship with the manager helped him to get his job as sporting director. Photograph: Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images

It is debatable whether West Ham can hold on to Rice much longer – especially when, at the World Cup, the England midfielder said how much he wants to play Champions League football and that “you only get one career”. Noble sounds pragmatic when discussing a player he has mentored for years and as the Premier League resumes on Boxing Day with West Ham, two places above the relegation zone, away to the leaders Arsenal.

The simple joy of football shines in Noble – as it will when he embraces the breaks from recruitment and monitoring mental health to step out on the academy pitch with teenage hopefuls to whom he can give a few pointers. All the headaches of being the Boleyn boy trying to keep up with clubs owned by countries will be forgotten for a while. And maybe, I suggest, the academy kids will look up to him as their local version of Messi. The former Club captain, who retired after 550 games and 18 years in Claret and Blue last May, took the time to meet supporters at the Stadium Store. Mark Noble leaps on Declan Rice after West Ham’s Europa League last-16 victory over Sevilla in March. Photograph: Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images I’ve had some lovely comments about the book and I hope all those who have bought it enjoy reading it.”