David Noble (footballer, born 1982)

David James Noble (born 2 February 1982) is a football manager and former player, playing as a midfielder. He currently manages St Albans City, in his second spell.

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.

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 30 yards 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.

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