Retiring Cyprus commander 'blown away' by visit from West Ham legend Mark Noble

Not many people can say they started their retirement with well wishes from a former Premier League footballer.

But that's exactly what happened to Major General Rob Thomson on his final day as Commander of British Forces Cyprus.

Major General Thomson, a West Ham fan, was surprised by a visit from Mark Noble while in Episkopi.

Noble, known as Mr West Ham, made 550 first-team appearances during a career that lasted nearly 18 years before he retired from professional football last season.

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It is not clear how the meeting between Noble and Major General Thomson came about but the departing military commander said he was "blown away".

On Twitter, he posted several times about his last days in the role, adding: "And to cap it all the most amazing modern-day footballer – player, leader and thoroughly decent man Mark Noble turned up to say hallo. I was blown away."