West Ham captain Mark Noble has revealed the influence that Teddy Sheringham had on him as a young professional.
The former England striker played for the Hammers until the age of 40, and current veteran Noble has suggested that his commitment even the latter stages of his career resonated with the midfielder.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “When I first came into the team years and years ago, Teddy Sheringham was in the team and I think he was pushing 40 at the time. He said, ‘Mark, just because you’re older [doesn’t mean anything]. I used to see him train as hard as anybody else at the age of 37, 38.
“That always stuck in my head . The older you get, you don’t want time off. You want to be out there training and proving to everybody that you can keep up with these young, fit 19-year-olds.
“I’m still out there everyday pushing and pushing the young lads around me.”
"You want to be out there training and proving you can cope with these 19-year-olds."
"I'm still out there every day."#WHUFC skipper Mark Noble joins @tsHandJ and reveals the advice Teddy Sheringham gave him ? pic.twitter.com/gW8z6tHJiw
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) March 7, 2019
OPINION
Noble is model professional, and one day in the not too distant future the next generation of West Ham players will be citing him as the example that they have followed throughout their careers. His commitment to the club and his own wellbeing has been admirable, and while he may not always strike you as the first example of a perfect role model, Teddy Sheringham has clearly had a massive influence of him. Noble seemingly has no intention of slowing down any time soon, and with Declan Rice next to him in the engine room, you get the impression that he could form a decent partnership that could really bear fruit in the latter stages of his career. It’s hard to imagine Noble going anywhere else before he hangs up his boots. Whereas others may look to the MLS or the Championship for one last day in the sun, you get the impression that Noble will be at West Ham until he simply cannot play any longer.