Monday 9 May 2016 23:47, UK
Mark Noble feels there is 'no ceiling' to how big a force West Ham can become when they move into the Olympic Stadium.
The Hammers face Manchester United on Tuesday night in their final game at the Boleyn Ground, live on Sky Sports, and emotions are bound to be high as they prepare to move out after 112 years.
Their final season has been one full of positives, and victory over Champions League-chasing United would keep West Ham in the hunt for a place in next season's Europa League.
But West Ham captain Noble feels the move to Stratford, where all 50,000 season tickets have already been sold, could be the start of a very bright future for the team.
"How big could this club be? I don't think there is a ceiling," said the midfielder.
"Everybody has seen what happened to Manchester City, to Chelsea, over the years. With people in the world these days with a lot of money to burn, anything can happen."
Tuesday will be tough for Noble, who came through the playing ranks after time on the terraces as a supporter and then on the sidelines as a ball-boy.
But he does not feel the move to the OIympic Stadium will adversely affect the club's identity.
"It's very special that the people who own the club are fans, they know what the club is about," he added.
"That has shown this year - everyone is together and we have all pulled together. When the owners are West Ham fans, when the manager has played for the club, me as the captain being a West Ham fan, too, that has shown a lot this year.
"We are leaving a place that I have been coming to for over 20 years, first as a supporter. Every other weekend it's going to be strange to get in my car in the morning and drive to a game, and not down a street I know so well."
But there is something special he will miss as he added: "The 10 seconds before kick-off. When the music plays and whole crowd sings Bubbles. It's probably my favourite part of the day.
"Everything else is stressful. Getting people tickets, the phone calls, press officers. I hate it. But seriously, that 10 seconds when they switch the music off and everyone sings Bubbles. You feel free in a way and you can just concentrate on football."
