St Albans City appoint David Noble, an ex-Watford, Boston, Bristol City, Exeter, Rotherham, Cheltenham player as their new boss.
The 40 year old has made his first permanent steps into management after being named the National League South side’s head coach.
Noble was the club’s interim coach from September, the successor to Ian Allinson who left the club and has gone on to help turn around their form with five victories and two draws in 10 matches before being handed the full-time role.
His side currently sit in sixth place, 13 points off the top, however a defeat against Kidderminster at the weekend in the FA Trophy Second Round took the shine off his appointment.
Nonetheless, Noble shared his delight at taking up the role, even if he does have to sacrifice his work-life balance.
🤝 Nobby accepts Head Coach role.
🙌 We are delighted to announce the appointment of David Noble as Head Coach ahead of today’s game with Kidderminster Harriers.
📰 Full story:
👉 https://t.co/OFU9d2YFoK#SACFC 😇 pic.twitter.com/ndxrc1EoE1— St Albans City FC (@stalbanscityfc) November 19, 2022
CLUB STATEMENT:
St Albans City are delighted to announce the appointment of David Noble as Head Coach ahead of today’s game with Kidderminster Harriers.
Noble took over interim duties in early October, going on a run of five games without a loss before being stopped by then undefeated table-toppers Ebbsfleet United.
Already a popular figure at the club, ‘Nobby’ became a firm choice amongst the fans to take over the permanent role, and with a 55% win rate across his interim spell it is easy to see why.
Highlights so far under Noble include the 6-0 away win at Hampton & Richmond, as well as an impressive 3-0 victory over Welling United.
Noble will be joined by Jon Meakes as assistant coach, as he has been throughout his term to date.
Meakes, formerly of Chesham United & Enfield Town, joins the 1st team staff conceding his place as City B-team manager, with this duty now falling to Assistant Coach Tony Gauthier.
As reported in the Herts Advertiser, he said: “I’m delighted. There is a lot of work to be done and now I can focus on doing it.”
Noble previously spoke about the difficulties in having a work/life balance whilst an interim manager and having to work a full-time job.
Speaking a few weeks ago, he added: “You can’t switch off from it. That’s the one thing I’ve learnt. You’re thinking about it 24/7.
“I’ve got another job at the minute, one that pays the bills and puts food on the table, and then there’s the football side. There are not enough hours in the day.
“I’m at work and I finding myself thinking about passing moves and who’s playing tonight and how can I tell this person he’s not playing. Your mind is just constantly awash with football.
“Usually I’d just get in my car and go home but now I’ll be at work, laying blocks, and I’ll be getting phone calls from the doctors about people who are injured and who’s available. It’s a gig where your mind just does not switch off. I’ll have to take a pillow and quilt to work as I’ll need a lie down to think.”
NOBLE’S PLAYING CAREER:
Youth career
Arsenal
Senior career
2001–2003 – Arsenal
2001–2002 → Watford (loan) – 15 games (1 goal)
2003–2004 – West Ham United – 3 games (0 goals)
2004–2006 – Boston United – 57 games (5 goals)
2005–2006 → Bristol City (loan) – 8 games (0 goals)
2006–2009 – Bristol City – 77 games (7 goals)
2009 → Yeovil Town (loan) – 2 games (0 goals)
2010–2012 – Exeter City – 78 games (2 goals)
2012–2014 – Rotherham United – 22 games (3 goals)
2013–2014 → Cheltenham Town (loan) – 29 games (0 goals)
2014–2015 – Oldham Athletic – 2 games (0 goals)
2014 → Exeter City (loan) – 11 games (0 goals)
2015–2016 – Exeter City – 34 games (0 goals)
2016–2022 – St Albans City – 123 games (6 goals)
Total – 461 games (24 goals)
National team
1997–1999 – England U16 – 2 games (0 goals)
2000 – England U19 – 2 games (0 goals)
2001–2002 – England U20 – 6 games (0 goals)
2003 – Scotland U21 – 2 games (0 goals)
2003 – Scotland B – 1 game (0 goals)
This is how fans reacted as St Albans appoint the ex-Watford, Boston, Bristol City, Exeter, Rotherham, Cheltenham player as their new boss…
@andyh2602: Glad to see the decision has been made at last. Good luck to David and his team !!
DaveChalmers15: Well deserved David. Keep them playing good football
@LivoAaron: Nobby at the wheel 😍😍
@DylanSmith_66: Noble ball>
@furnyboy: Oiiiiiii oiiiiiiii Gaffa
@koryc07: 🐐 @david8noble
@jacob_ellacott: David Noble is a Saint, he loves Veeda! 💛💙 The right decision and an exciting one.
@david8noble still one of the best midfielders I’ve seen at SJP. #ecfc https://t.co/Aeclkeffed
— Matt (@M14Moore) November 14, 2022
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