“It was when I had to come off the lads’ group chat,” laughed the rookie Saints boss, now appropriately distanced from the teammates he has taken to within 90 minutes of promotion in his first season in charge.
“I’d just been named as interim player/manager and realised that I was still on it, so I thought it best to ask them to take me off.”
For context, this was just a few weeks into pre-season last summer when Noble decided to unceremoniously end a glittering playing career which took in over 300 Football League appearances at the likes of Exeter City, Bristol City and Rotherham United.
At the age of 40, and after six years at Clarence Park, Noble was still registered as a player when he took over as interim boss following the departure of Ian Allinson last September.
“It was difficult to make the transition, I still find it hard now,” explained the Hitchin-born midfielder affectionately known as ‘Nobby’, who uniquely played for both England and Scotland development sides. “I was a teammate before, now I had to earn their respect as a manager. You have to have that separation.
Esta historia es de la edición May 14, 2023 de The Non-League Football Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 14, 2023 de The Non-League Football Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
PILGRIMS' PERFECT DAY SEALED BY CAM
BOSTON United won their second penalty shoot-out in four days as they overhauled second-placed Scunthorpe United to earn their place in the National League North play-off final.
Spirit of Angelo's Iron keeps dream alive
ANGELO HARROP hailed calm heads as Braintree Town hauled themselves off the ropes after Chelmsford City's late comeback to land an extra-time knock-out and reach the Promotion Final.
UNITED BID IS SUNK BY WATERS' WINNER!
ASHTON UNITED'S lingering play-off hopes were finally extinguished at Hurst Cross as the visitors secured their own place with a deserved victory.
PREECE'S KEEPING IT REAL!
ANDY PREECE doesn't want his Chorley side to forget how good season has been to this point and urged them to use that belief at Brackley Town.
STONES STILL ROLLING ON!
Gist EORGE Elokobi insists his Maidstone United side are not in danger of succumbing to fatigue as they look to complete a marathon season on a high.
ACE JACK LEADS A HORNETS HURRAH
HORSHAM managed to muster the energy in their 60th game of the season to finally breast the tape and secure a topfive finish in what was already the finest season in the club's history.
RUSSELL ENDS ON A EURO MISSION
Italy adventure is fitting for Rooks boss
COMMUNITY WILL UNITE TO HELP HEED ON A LONG ROAD AHEAD
Local pride can heal the pain of play-off snub
EMOTION LIKE NEVER BEFORE
Critics gave us no chance, says Cousins
SAM'S IN THE STONES ZONE
UPBEAT music, positive messages only and even group prayers - Sam Cox says Wealdstone's survival story is something to be proud of.