David Noble has been named the new manager of Wealdstone - ended a seven-year stay at St Albans City.

The midfielder joined in August 2016 and went on to 179 appearances with the Clarence Park club.

When his playing time was up, he accepted the role as successor to Ian Allinson in September 2022, on a caretaker basis at first and then full-time in November.

He took City to the National League South play-offs before being beaten by Oxford City in the final.

He departs with Saints ninth in the table having won 14 and drawn two of their 28 games.

In a statement on the club website, St Albans said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the departure of our manager, David Noble.

"This week we were approached by Wealdstone FC, asking for permission to talk to David.

"We had an open conversation with David and gave him the opportunity to talk to them – we would not stand in his way.

"Following that, David made the decision to leave the club.

"We would like to thank Wealdstone FC for dealing with this situation in a transparent and professional manner.

"We are truly gutted that David has made the decision to leave the club and we speak on behalf of the players, staff, amazing fans, and the community of St Albans City FC, that David has been a phenomenal asset to this football club.

"He was not only a player and manager, but also was, and remains, a friend.

"We had hoped that David would be the manager that would take us out of this league, but also the one that will take us into a new stadium. He is a great talent and a great person.

"We respect his decision, understand the reasons behind his move, and wish him all the best for the future."

Noble has signed a two-and-a-half year deal to replace the now Notts County manager Stuart Maynard.

He will be assisted by another Arsenal man in Neil Banfield and has "agreed in principle" the appointment of a head coach.

The Wealdstone board of directors said in their own statement: "We have been closely following David's impressive work at St Albans City and are confident in his ability to excel in a full-time managerial role.

"His philosophy and approach to the game align perfectly with our ambitions, and will enable him to settle in quickly to build upon the excellent foundations set by Stuart Maynard over the last few years.

"Together with Neil Banfield and the coaching staff, we are poised for a new era of success at Wealdstone."

They went on to say that a "suitable compensation package" had been agreed with St Albans.

Saints have said that Noble's assistant, Jon Meakes and club coach Harry Wheeler, who had been manager for a brief time before Allinson's appointment, would take charge for "an interim period".

The process to replace Noble has started though and they added that "we will seek to appoint a new manager/head coach who holds the same values and ambitions of the club".