West Ham United captain Mark Noble leads the squad in a singalong of One Direction songs before games, it has been revealed.

Noble's motivational technique was initially met with scepticism but Hammers assistant manager Julian Dicks admitted that he had become a big fan of the boyband's recent single 'History'.

"We trained at Upton Park last Friday before the Liverpool game and Mark Noble played it in the dressing room afterwards," Dicks told The Sun. "At first I thought 'what is this load of shit?' but now I can't get the bloody tune out of my head. The lads played it after we won too and even I'm singing along to it now.

"I'm not sure Slaven (Bilic, manager) is taken with it. I like everything. I'm a heavy metal fan but I also love Elvis, 60s music, anything, although I never thought the day would come when I'd say I liked One Direction. To be honest, any kind of music is good for lifting the spirits.

"Team spirit is so important. When things are going well it manages itself."

West Ham were the victors on Saturday as they edged past Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 in their third-round FA Cup encounter at Upton Park.