David James Noble (born 2 February 1982) is a football manager and former player, playing as a midfielder. He is currently assistant manager at Hemel Hempstead Town.
Noble made more than 300 appearances in the Football League for Watford, West Ham United, Boston United, Bristol City, Yeovil Town, Exeter City, Rotherham United, Cheltenham Town and Oldham Athletic. Internationally, he represented his native England at levels up to under-20 before playing under-21 and B international football for Scotland.
Club career
Arsenal Noble was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. His career began as a trainee at Arsenal, with whom he won the FA Youth Cup in 2000. His first senior appearance was on loan at Watford in the 2001–02 season, under the management of Gianluca Vialli; where he scored once against Grimsby Town.
West Ham United In February 2003, Noble joined newly relegated West Ham United on a free transfer, signing a deal until the end of the 2003–04 season. He made his debut in a League Cup game against Rushden & Diamonds on 13 August 2003, playing the full 90 minutes of a 3–1 win, but found chances limited and made three League appearances as substitute in August and September.
Boston United In February 2004, Noble was loaned for a month to Boston United, after which he signed a permanent contract, initially until the end of the season.
Bristol City In January 2006, he moved to Bristol City for £80,000, after enjoying a successful loan spell there. On 13 February 2007, he scored against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round replay, but his most important strikes were the two goals he scored against Rotherham United on 5 May which took City back into the Championship.
Noble also scored in the Championship play-off semi-final against Crystal Palace the following year, when his stoppage-time strike from gave Bristol City the advantage going into the second leg.
He joined Yeovil Town on loan on 25 March 2009, before being released at the end of the season.
Exeter City On 4 January 2010, Noble signed for League One side Exeter City. Noble was named as the club's captain for the 2010–11 season. He signed a new one-year contract in June 2011. In May 2012, Noble was released by Exeter after the club was relegated.
Rotherham United Noble signed for Rotherham United on 13 July 2012. He joined Cheltenham Town on loan in September 2013.
Oldham Athletic and return to Exeter City Noble joined Oldham Athletic on non-contract terms in August 2014. He played twice before being released, was re-signed, and joined Exeter City on loan in September. He made 12 appearances while on loan, and then re-signed for Exeter in January 2015 until the end of the season.
St Albans City On 28 August 2016, Noble joined St Albans City of the National League South. He signed an 18-month contract with the Saints in December 2016 and in March 2017 became the club captain. In November 2017, he also became a coach at the club.
International career Noble represented his native England at under-16, under-19, and under-20 levels. He then switched to play for Scotland. He made two appearances at under-21 level, and also played in a Scotland future team match against Turkey B on 25 February 2003.
Coaching career Following the sacking of Ian Allinson as manager of St Albans City in September 2022, Noble took on the Interim Head Coach role. On 19 November 2022, Noble was given the role on a permanent basis following a 55% win rate across his interim spell in charge. St. Albans finished the regular season in 6th place and reached the National League South play-off final, overcoming Chelmsford City and Dartford (on penalties) prior to losing 4-0 to Oxford City.
On 26 January 2024, Noble was appointed manager of National League club Wealdstone on a two-and-a-half-year deal. His contract was terminated after only 73 days, winning only three of his 17 games in charge across all competitions.
On 17 May 2024, Noble returned to St Albans City as manager. On 21 November 2024, he departed the club by mutual consent with the team sat in 21st position.
He was subsequently appointed assistant manager at National League North club Bedford Town.
In May 2026, Noble followed manager Lee Bircham from Bedford Town, joining Hemel Hempstead Town as Bircham's assistant manager.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsArsenal2001–02Premier League00000000002002–03Premier League0000000000Total0000000000Watford (loan)2001–02First Division1510030—181West Ham United2003–04First Division300010—40Boston United2003–04 Third Division142———1422004–05 League Two3233110003642005–06League Two110101000130Total575412000636Bristol City2005–06League One241———2412006–07League One2632110303242007–08Championship2621000313032008–09Championship910000—91Total857311061959Yeovil Town (loan)2008–09League One2000000020Exeter City2010–11League One00———002010–11League One3601010404202011–12League One422112010463Total782213050883Rotherham United2012–13League Two2230010102432013–14League One00—10—10Total223002010253Cheltenham Town (loan)2013–14League Two29000—10300Oldham Athletic2014–15League One20———20Exeter City2014–15League Two15010—001602015–16League Two300201000330Total450301000490St Albans City2016–17National League South31230—203622017–18National League South38320—414442018–19National League South16130—312222019–20National League South30011—203312020–21National League South8020—10110Total1236111—1221469Career total4612423413025352231
Honours Arsenal FA Youth Cup: 2000
Bristol City Football League One second-place promotion: 2006–07
Rotherham United Football League Two second-place promotion: 2012–13
References
External links