Billy Bonds, West Ham’s FA Cup-winner captain and former manager, has died aged 79 after a long illness, the east London club have announced.
The defender turned midfielder, who went on to lead the club from the dugout for four seasons, was affectionately known as Bonzo and became, over 21 seasons of service, one of the Hammers’ most-adored players.
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.”
No other player has appeared more times in the club’s claret and blue than Bonds, nor shown such unstinting commitment on the pitch. Such was his unflappable consistency over 799 first-team games, that he was the club’s player of the year in 1971, 1974, 1975 and 1987. The East Stand at West Ham’s home, the London Stadium, bears his name.
Bonds, signed from Charlton in 1967, soon established himself. He took over as club captain from Bobby Moore and twice led West Ham to FA Cup triumphs, in 1975 – against Moore’s Fulham – and again in 1980 against Arsenal at Wembley, leading a side that included such Hammers luminaries as Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire, Alvin Martin and Frank Lampard Sr.
He retired from playing in 1988 and joined the club’s coaching cohort under John Lyall. He was made an MBE the same year.
Billy Bonds, pictured in 1990, shortly after taking over as West Ham’s manager. Photograph: Malcom Croft/PA
He was appointed manager two years later on 23 February 1990, taking over from Lou Macari, and in his second season in charge led the Hammers back to the top flight via the runners-up spot in 1990-91. He remained in charge at Upton Park even after West Ham were relegated again in 1992 after finishing bottom of the First Division. Bonds would go on to secure a second promotion in three seasons the following year.
In 1993-94, Bonds guided West Ham to 13th in their first season in the Premier League, only to resign unexpectedly on 10 August 1994, when he was replaced by his assistant, Harry Redknapp. There followed a short spell as Millwall manager, but the Woolwich-born Bonds quit football in 1998.
A statement on the West Ham website read: “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.
“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.”
In 2019, the East Stand at London Stadium was renamed the Billy Bonds Stand in his honour. Photograph: Avril Husband/West Ham United FC/Getty Images
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 to take place before the fixture with Aston Villa at the London Stadium on 14 December.