It was before last season had even ended that Mark Noble announced this campaign would be his last and at no point since - even when Champions League qualification by winning the Europa League was a distinct possibility - has he erred from his decision.
Now that the end has arrived, Sunday afternoon’s meeting with Manchester City set to be his final home outing in West Ham colours, the 35-year-old recognises the privilege in being able to walk away on his own terms after a career that has spanned 18 years and almost 550 Hammers appearances.
