Wealdstone confirm appointment of ex-EFL player turned former St Albans manager David Noble as a replacement for Stuart Maynard.
Noble leaves his role at St Albans, who whom lost in the National League South playoff final to Oxford City last year, to take up a full-time manager on a two and a half-year deal.
Noble made more than 300 appearances in the Football League for the likes of Watford, West Ham United, Boston United, Bristol City, Yeovil Town, Exeter City, Rotherham United, Cheltenham Town and Oldham Athletic.
Internationally, he played for his native England at levels up to under-20 before playing under-21 and B international football for Scotland.
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We’re delighted to welcome David Noble to the club as our new First Team Manager.https://t.co/KVwTjLpL78 pic.twitter.com/dow0SR7X5B
β Wealdstone FC (@WealdstoneFC) January 26, 2024
CLUB STATEMENT:
Wealdstone Football Club Announces David Noble as our new Manager
Wealdstone Football Club is thrilled to announce the appointment of David Noble as our new, full-time, First Team Manager on a 2.5-year deal.
The 41 year-old, joins us from St Albans City in the National League South, where he has made a considerable impact. He signed for the Saints in August 2016 as a player on an 18-month contract and was awarded the captaincy in March 2017. In November of the same year, he also joined the coaching staff working under manager Ian Allinson.
With the departure of Allinson in September 2022, Noble was appointed Head Coach on an interim basis, before his capabilities swiftly earned him the permanent position as First Team Manager in November of the same year. Under his leadership, St Albans City reached the final of the National League South playoffs for the 2022/23 season. This season, they sit just one point outside the play-off places, having won six of their last seven matches.
Noble’s football career is one of notable distinction, with over 300 appearances in the Football League. His journey began at Arsenal and includes clubs such as Watford, West Ham, Bristol City, and Exeter City. His experience as a player in these competitive environments has undoubtedly shaped his approach as a manager at St Albans, who play an exciting possession based brand of football.
Joining Noble in this new chapter is Neil Banfield, who steps in as Assistant Manager. Banfield is most notably associated with Arsenal, where he spent a substantial part of his career. He joined the Gunners in 1997 and quickly established himself as a key figure in the club’s youth development program. Over the years, he held various positions at the club, including coaching roles for the Under-18s and the Reserve team.
Under his leadership, the Arsenal youth teams achieved considerable success winning two FA Youth Cups, an FA Premier Academy League U17 title and an U19 League title. Banfield helped in nurturing the talents of several players who would go on to have successful professional careers. His work in developing young players has been widely recognised and respected in the football community.
In 2012, Banfield was promoted to a first-team coaching role under manager ArsΓ¨ne Wenger. This promotion was a testament to his expertise and the high regard in which he was held at the club. Working alongside Wenger, Banfield contributed to the tactical and training aspects of the first team, playing a role in the team’s domestic and European campaigns.
After Wenger’s departure from Arsenal in 2018, Banfield also left the club, bringing an end to his over two-decade-long association with the Gunners.
Following his time at Arsenal, Banfield joined QPR as first team coach, applying his vast experience and knowledge to the Championship side. In November 2022, Banfield joined departing QPR manager Michael Beale in moving to Glasgow Rangers where he was appointed to the first team coaching staff. He has also coached at international level during his time as Assistant Manager to the Republic of Ireland U21 side alongside manager Don Givens.
David is expected to make further additions to his coaching staff in the coming days, with a new Head Coach agreed in principle.
A statement from the board of directors reads: “We have been closely following David’s impressive work at St Albans City and are confident in his ability to excel in a full-time managerial role. His philosophy and approach to the game align perfectly with our ambitions, and will enable him to settle in quickly to build upon the excellent foundations set by Stuart Maynard over the last few years. Together with Neil Banfield and the coaching staff, we are poised for a new era of success at Wealdstone.
“We have agreed a suitable compensation package with St Albans City and also extend our gratitude for their professional conduct during this transition. We wish them continued success in their ongoing campaign.
“We are excited about this new chapter and confident that our fans will join us in warmly welcoming both David and Neil to the club.”
π¨ Club Statement: David Noble
βΉοΈ We can confirm the departure of manager David Noble, who has agreed to join National League side Wealdstone F.C.
π Read more on our website
π https://t.co/G7oVN2NDpk#SACFC π pic.twitter.com/IlB4TvLZ9Iβ St Albans City FC (@stalbanscityfc) January 26, 2024
ST ALBANS STATEMENT:
It is with great sadness that we announce the departure of our manager, David Noble.
This week we were approached by Wealdstone FC, asking for permission to talk to David. We had an open conversation with David and gave him the opportunity to talk to them β we would not stand in his way. Following that, David made the decision to leave the club.
We would like to thank Wealdstone FC for dealing with this situation in a transparent and professional manner.
We are truly gutted that David has made the decision to leave the club and we speak on behalf of the players, staff, amazing fans and the community of St Albans City FC, that David has been a phenomenal asset to this football club. He was not only a player and manager, but also was, and remains, a friend.
We had hoped that David would be the manager that would take us out of this league, but also the one that will take us into a new stadium. He is a great talent and a great person.
We respect his decision, understand the reasonβs behind his move, and wish him all the best for the future.
He will always be welcome back at St Albans City Football Club.
Looking forward, the process to replace David has already started and we will seek to appoint a new manager/head coach who holds the same values and ambitions of the club. Jon Meakes and club coach, Harry Wheeler, will take charge for an interim period until a new appointment is made.
From everyone at the club, thank you for your continued support.
This is how fans reacted as Wealdstone confirm the appointment of ex-EFL player turned former St Albans manager David Noble…
@lee_chappell: My favourite human managing my favourite non league club πππ
@watsoncomedian: Good luck David. Great player.
@1980StatMan200: All the Best Nobby β¦ Fantastic appointment . This guy joining in the keep ball π€©. Top player still
@oystercardcult: Good luck David. Impressive appointment. Well done to the board for arranging this so quickly.
@Tommy_Cockles: Congrats on your appointment and welcome to the club @david8noble π #UTS
@peterwealdstone: Congratulations David and welcome. You’re now part of the Stones family. π
@SimonBain6: Welcome to the mighty stones @david8noble πβ½οΈ
@ONLYONEGIBBO: Good luck and big boots to fill UTS
@afcjohnboy: This boy should of been far higher as a player. Absolute top notch at times he was. Looks like he’s getting his stripes the right way as a gaffer. Congrats nobes!
@timparks3: Nice one Nobby! Welcome to the Mighty Stones π
@LivoAaron: Maybe that Shaun Jeffers guy might play a bit more?
@KatieTrotter1: Thanks nobby for all you done for the team and disabled team. Why did you have to leave us. We are soooooo gutted to see you go. We love you nobby good luck nobby
@LeoWerin: Full time, 2 1/2 year deal. That compo from Notts must have been good.
@YorkshirePies2: Good luck David, up the Stones ππ»
@LewisW89: Hard to compete with an offer to go in to full time football. Next appointment is a big one so that momentum from this good run isnβt lost. ππ Good luck @david8noble.
Thanks to nobby for everything heβs done for me and the club. Transformed us in his first year to a play off final whilst playing some of the most attractive football Iβve seen in my playing time. A top man and will become an even better manager. Wish him nothing but the bestππΎ https://t.co/rOsaH8xNvp
β Michael Johnson (@Michael_Johnss) January 26, 2024
An incredible manager and an incredible person!
Very grateful and humbled to have had the opportunity to work with him.
This is just the first step in what will no doubt be an excellent and successful career!
Thank you Gaffer, go well! π€πΌ@david8noble https://t.co/RnEWu9q3vh
β Alan Clarke (@clarkyinjury) January 26, 2024
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