Legendary former West Ham player, coach and manager Billy Bonds has died aged 79.
The club said Bonds passed away peacefully on Sunday morning.
Bonds made a record 799 outings for the Hammers, captaining them to two FA Cup triumphs in 1975 and 1980.
After 21 years with them as a player, he went on to manage them a couple of years after retiring, from 1990 to 1994. In that period, he won them promotion to the top tier twice and took charge of 227 games.
He also played for Charlton and managed Millwall.
A statement from Bonds’ family, released by 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.
Legendary former West Ham player and manager Billy Bonds has died aged 79
He captained the Hammers to two FA Cups in 1975 and 1980, making 799 appearances
Bonds became the club’s manager in 1980 after a couple of years of coaching at the club
‘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 born in Woolwich, South East London. Aged 15, after leaving school, he joined Charlton as a member of the grounds staff and played in the youth team before making his League debut in February 1965.
In 2019, the club renamed the East Stand at the London Stadium the Billy Bonds Stand in a tribute to his legendary status. Bonds was present that day and welled up with tears on the pitch as he saw the outpouring of love from the fans.
He was awarded an MBE for his services to football in 1988, the year that he retired as a player. In 2018, he was voted as the fans’ greatest-ever West Ham player.
News of his death broke just hours before West Ham’s Premier League clash with Liverpool at the London Stadium. The club will hold a period of appreciation ahead of the match and pay a full tribute at their next home game against Aston Villa on December 14.
The club added in their statement: ‘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 grand-daughters Eloise and Elissa.
‘Never one to crave the limelight, he was universally loved, respected and admired by his team-mates, players and supporters, who will forever consider themselves ‘Billy Bonds’s 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.
A West Ham fan poses next to a picture of Billy Bonds outside the London Stadium
Bonds pictured in 1974 with the Evening Standard’s ‘footballer of the month’ trophy – and a bottle of Charles Heidsieck champagne
Bonds celebrates with Trevor Brooking and Alan Taylor after winning the FA Cup in 1975
‘Rest in peace Billy, our courageous, inspirational, lion-hearted leader.’
Joe Cole said on TNT Sports: ‘Billy Bonds was manager when I signed as a kid. He was really kind to me and my family.
‘Growing up at West Ham and knowing his name is synonymous with the club… everything that’s good about West Ham, Billy Bonds, that’s him.
‘It’s really sad news and thoughts and prayers are with his family.’
Peter Crouch added: ‘I had the pleasure of meeting him a few times as well. A great man, obviously he was a legend at West Ham, and all West Ham supporters will be grateful for the job he did for the club.
‘But first and foremost, he was just a great person.’
Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen said on Sky Sports: ‘I think you can see the reaction, what he meant to this club and achieved for this club. It’s a sad day for everyone. Our condolences go to his family.
‘He’s going to go down as West Ham’s biggest legend, the best captain they’ve had. I’ll never emulate that success but to put on that captain’s armband is a big thing for me as well.’
Bonds smiles broadly as he stands next to Brooking, a fellow club legend, in 1975
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo added: ‘We got the news in the dressing room and it was a sad moment for all of us at the club. Billy Bonds represents what West Ham is all about.
‘I didn’t have the chance to meet him but I know the fans are feeling sad but let’s support the family and let’s give a good day for the memory of Billy Bonds.’
His first professional club Charlton, who he played for from 1965 to 1967, wrote on X: ‘We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Billy Bonds MBE. Our thoughts are with Billy’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.’
Look back through the stories of Bonds and you’ll see the unique grit and personality who made him the man he was.
Once, recalling how he prepared for games, he said: ‘I would block tackle the wall to get used to tackling. Do a few stretches, a couple of sprints from one end of the gym to the other.
‘You nutted the door a couple of times and went out and played. That was it, that was my warm-up.’
One fan wrote: ‘Growing up a West Ham fan in the ’90s and ’00s you just knew who Billy Bonds was. It was ingrained in you what he meant and how he was essentially the epitome of what the club is all about.
‘Loyal, tough, classy, and ultimately very successful in his time as a player and manager of West Ham.
‘Billy Bonds has a stand named after him at the London Stadium because he exceeds “legend”. He is an icon and is such a part of the West Ham fabric he will never ever be forgotten. I write this with true sadness.’
Another wrote: ‘Not enough words to describe what this man means to me. As a kid you wanted to be Billy Bonds. He was West Ham’s Bionic Man in the 70s, unflinching tackles, blasting goals to fight off relegation, a marauding pirate of a captain prepared to do anything to get the ball. RIP Bonzo.’
