10 hours ago
4
The former West Ham captain and manager Billy Bonds has died at the age of 79, the Premier League club has announced.
Bonds was the longest-serving player for the Irons, making 799 appearances across a 21-year career in which he lifted the FA Cup twice as well as winning the old Second Division.
After moving into coaching, initially with the youth team, Bonds was appointed manager in February 1990, securing promotion from Division Two and, after relegation in 1992, then taking the Upton Park club back into the top flight at the start of the Premier League era.
A statement from Bonds’ family via West Ham read: “We are heartbroken to announce that we lost our beloved Dad today. He was devoted to his family and was the most kind, loyal, selfless, and loving person.
“Dad loved West Ham United and its wonderful supporters with all his heart and treasured every moment of his time at the club. He will always be in our hearts and eternally missed. We take comfort knowing that his legacy will live on forever.”
Bonds was signed from Charlton in May 1967, going on to captain West Ham to FA Cup success in both 1975 and 1980, and left the Irons in 1994. He was later voted the club’s greatest player, also having a stand named in his honour at their new London Stadium home.
“An extremely private and loyal man, Billy was completely devoted to his family – wife Marilyn, who sadly passed away in 2020, daughters Claire and Katie, and granddaughters Eloise and Elissa,” a statement on the West Ham website read.
“Never one to crave the limelight, he was universally loved, respected and admired by his teammates, players and supporters, who will forever consider themselves ‘Billy Bonds’ Claret and Blue Army’.
“The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at West Ham United are with Claire, Katie, Eloise and Elissa as they come to terms with their loss, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this sad and difficult time. Rest in peace Billy, our courageous, inspirational, lion-hearted leader.”
The former midfielder Joe Cole paid tribute to Bonds as “everything that’s good about West Ham”. Speaking on TNT Sports, Cole said: “Billy Bonds was manager when I signed as a kid and he was really kind to me and my family. Growing up at West Ham, his name’s synonymous with the club. Everything that’s good about West Ham, Billy Bonds, that was him. It’s really sad news and thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
West Ham confirmed there would be a period of appreciation to honour Bonds before Sunday’s Premier League home game against Liverpool, with a full tribute set to take place before the fixture with Aston Villa at the London Stadium on 14 December.
