Harry Noble is back in a Deveronvale shirt after 18 months out and captaining his team with great pride
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BACK from knee surgery after 18 months out, Harry Noble is proud to have been handed the captain’s armband at Deveronvale.
The 26-year-old made his competitive comeback in Vale’s Highland League opener at Fraserburgh on Saturday in a 3-0 defeat at Bellslea Park.
Noble damaged his knee in December 2020 during a season which failed to get going because of the pandemic lockdown.
He needed cruciate surgery but had to wait nine months for the operation last September, and another nine months of recovery before he got back on the pitch.
Vale manager Craig Stewart handed the former Buckie Thistle defender the club captaincy and he led his team out in Buchan.
Yet his competitive return was in jeopardy just a week earlier when he sustained a nasty ankle injury in a pre-season match against Culter.
“Five minutes into the game I turned as I went to tackle their boy and landed on my ankle,” he said. “I thought I had done something to the ligaments and with it being just a week before the season, it was a worry.
“But the swelling went down and although it’s still badly bruised, I didn’t feel it on Saturday.
“It’s good to be back and the knee feels spot on.”
It was a daunting task for Vale to travel to face the reigning champions on their flag day, and Fraserburgh were up for the occasion.
Early goals by Sean Butcher and former Vale loanee Ryan Sargent put Broch in command before the visitors settled and conceded just one more goal to Scott Barbour in the final 20 minutes.
“Losing 3-0 isn’t great but I feel we defended quite well and Sean (goalkeeper McIntosh) had a really good game.
“We lost two early goals but apart from that we didn’t do too badly. They are a good side and keep pressing you back in your own half.”
On getting the skipper’s armband this season – with Innes McKay as vice-captain – he said: “Before the game on Saturday he told me, so that was another incentive and a good honour.
“I’m quite a loudmouth on the pitch and I’m sure some of the boys are wishing I wasn’t so close to them when I’m shouting.
“Being captain I might get away with it a bit more!”
Noble turns 27 in September and said he now feels like one of the older heads in a young Deveronvale squad.
“I still feel young, but when you see all the guys at training with some of them being 17 or 18 it makes you feel older,” he said.
“From Saturday’s performance, I think it is quite promising for the season ahead.
“The boys are sticking together well. Maybe once we start clicking upfront and getting some goals, from there we will be able to kick on.”
Vale take on Hermes in the Aberdeenshire Cup tonight, before they host Lossiemouth in the league on Saturday.
