West Ham United

Mark Noble calls for unity among West Ham United fans

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 27 March 2018

Mark Noble pens an open letter to the West Ham United fanbase calling for unity following disturbances at their last home match against Burnley.

Mark Noble has penned an open letter to the West Ham United fanbase calling for unity following disturbances at their last Premier League home match against Burnley.

The Hammers captain confronted a supporter who went onto the pitch during the 3-0 loss at the London Stadium on March 10, a game marred by trouble and protests.

West Ham issued lifetime bans to at least five supporters involved in the disturbances, while an unspecified number suffered the same fate for hurling verbal abuse and coins at owners David Sullivan and David Gold in the directors' box.

"Our last home game against Burnley was one of my toughest days in nearly 20 years at West Ham, and I never want to see scenes like that again," Noble wrote on the West Ham website. "None of us do. I desperately want us to do well and for everyone to be happy, players and fans, but that day was one which none of us can look back on with any pride.

"We need everyone to be together and to be behind the team, because positive vibes really do inspire the players on the pitch. On the flip side, negativity can undoubtedly affect players' concentration and confidence, as I believe it did in the second half against Burnley.

"We need you all, full-stop, and we cannot perform to our best and win the matches we need to win without you. When you are on song, there really are no supporters better at inspiring their team than West Ham supporters.

"I can understand the frustrations some of you are feeling. This season has not gone how we'd all hoped it would, but I would ask you to channel your passion to get behind the team, help us get through the season with our Premier League status intact, and we can sit down and reassess things in the summer.

"We need the London Stadium to be buzzing for our five remaining home games, so please unite behind the lads and give us the best possible chance to deliver the results we need to stay up."

West Ham return to action at the London Stadium on Saturday when they host Southampton.