A few years ago I was fortunate to meet ‘66 World Cup hero and West Ham legend Martin Peters (RIP) in Canning Town, an area I know very well because I had to pull my late mother’s shopping trolley in the ‘70s after visiting the once-thriving Rathbone Market opposite the Royal Oak pub where Frank Bruno used to train.

That was a nightmare in itself because, come Monday, I remember my mates from St Bernard’s Comprehensive School in Bethnal Green taking the mickey out of me – “Haha,we saw you pushing your mum’s trolley.” In those days kids did as they were told. How times have changed.

Martin told me he was born under his parents’ kitchen table along the Barking Road in Plaistow. Martin Peters, as we know, turned out to be the complete midfield player.

Fast forward and we find another complete midfield player, Mr. West Ham Mark Noble, is ending a remarkable 18-year professional career, making 567 appearances for the Hammers.

For years he has been the beating heart of West Ham. He has carried on the tradition of tough men with talent like Julian Dicks, who would die for the Hammers, and was always one to rally the team in the toughest situations, just like first-team coach Stuart Pearce.

But now the question is who does Mark pass the mantle onto? Perhaps Declan Rice?

If so he would join a remarkable line-up of extraordinary players who over 50 years have assumed the man- tle of leadership at West Ham and who epitomise the heart and fight- ing spirit of the club. The list includes Billy Bonds and Trevor Brooking, Alvin Martin and Julian Dicks, and now Mark Noble. Great men all, and each a hard act to follow.

Finally, what drama the Premier League saw in a sensational conclu- sion on 22 May. The magnitude of Manchester City’s last gasp winner at home against Aston Villa will live long in the memory. It gave them the narrowest of 3-2 victories, for which they had to score three goals in a remarkable six minutes.

The Football Gods had decreed that on the last all-deciding game of the season, as Liverpool strove for an unprecedented ‘quadruple’, Manchester City would have to beat an Aston Villa team, managed by the greatest Liverpool player of all-time, Stephen Gerrard.

However, this was not about just one game but two. Liverpool were at home against Wolves who took a shock early lead, when Neto scored in just the third minute. The irrepressible Mane equalised for Liverpool in the 24th minute and then the fun really began.

Aston Villa shocked the Etihad into silence by taking the lead in the 37th minute. Although losing at home, this was still enough for City, who were on course to win the Premier League on goal difference. Liverpool had to win.

Then in the 69th minute another ex-Liverpool player Philippe Coutinho put Aston Villa 0-2 up and Liverpool just needed to score to be the Premier League champions. Liverpool did get their goals in the final minutes, but by then it was too late. City had scored their three goals in less than 360 sec- onds and the title again belonged to the tearful Pep Guardiola.

As the second half of the final matches kicked off, the final questions were being settled. Tottenham were romping to the final Champions League automatic spot at the expense of Arsenal while Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min shared the Golden Boot, with 23 goals each. Leeds clung onto their Premier League status, as Burnley joined Norwich and Watford’s descent to the Championship.

What a day, what a season. City may have won the title, but in many ways football was the real winner on the day.

And for Mark Noble, it’s time to put your feet up with a cuppa and a Jammie Dodger. Thank you Mark for the highs and lows, thrills and spills. You are a true gent and an exceptional professional.

Mickey Ambrose is a former Chelsea and Charlton player who lives in Stratford

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