West Ham legend Bonds dies aged 79

Billy Bonds, the club’s record-setting appearancescorer who helped West Ham to two FA Cup victories, passed away at the age of 79.

The Hammers won the FA Cup twice in 1975 and 1980 under the direction of Bonds, who played 799 games for them.

Between 1967 and 1988, he served as the Hammers’ player for 21 years, and he also served as their manager between 1990 and 1994.

A family statement read, “We are heartbroken to announce that we lost our dear dad today.”

He was the most kind, loyal, selfless, and loving person possible. He was devoted to his family.

Dad cherished every moment of his time at West Ham United and its wonderful supporters with all of his heart.

West Ham’s “legendary player, coach and manager” passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, according to West Ham with “deep sadness and the heaviest of hearts.”

Before kick-off at today’s Premier League home game against Liverpool, the team stated, “A full tribute will be paided to Billy at our next home game against Aston Villa, on Sunday, December 14th.

In the upcoming days, additional tributes will also appear on club television.

Our courageous, inspiring, and lion-hearted leader, Billy, rest in peace.

Bonds, a defender and midfielder, signed for West Ham from Charlton Athletic for £47, 000 in May 1967, and he also won the previous second division title with the club.

He made his last appearance in April 1988, aged 41, and Bonds, who received an MBE the same year, took over as Hammers manager in 1990.

Bonds, who has never played for England, twice rose to the top of the English Premier League and left West Ham in 1994 “after 27 years of impeccable service.”

In 2013, the Hammers’ fans voted him their greatest player ever, and he was given the club’s first ever lifetime achievement award.

Bonds was honored in this way by West Ham’s home at West Ham’s London Stadium in 2019, along with fellow club greats Bobby Moore and Sir Trevor Brooking, who both had their names named after him.

He later said, “It’s a great honor and means a lot to me and my family.”

All players will be sporting black armbands for the game against Liverpool, and current captain Jarrod Bowen will be wearing a Bonds shirt when the game begins at 14:05 GMT.

Before Bowen places the shirt on the ground in front of the stand named after Bonds, there will be a brief moment of applause.

Before the game, forward Bowen declared, “It’s a sad day for everyone.” His family receives all of our condolences.

He’s probably going to be remembered as West Ham’s biggest legend, the best captain the team has ever had.

“He achieved a lot, and I’ll never emulate that success,” he said, “but for me, it’s a big thing to wear the captain’s armband like he did.”

Joe Cole, a former West Ham attacking midfielder, also paid tribute to Bonds.

When I signed as a child, Billy Bonds was the manager, and he treated me and my family with kindness, Cole said.