West Ham legend Billy Bonds has died

[City Hobgoblin]

RIP

 

[Stelea]

Sad news. This is what is meant when they talk of legends.

 

[Jack74]

Still remember West Ham fans singing Billy Bonds claret and blue army for near enough 45 mins solid at Villa Park in fa cup semi final against Forest when they 3/4 down and down to 10 men , RIP

 

[heslops barnet]

We got on pretty well with hammers fans except the obvious inter city firm who were always waiting for us at Euston Station

 

[abu13]

RIP Billy, great player and West Ham legend.

Feels like all my childhood memories are passing away.

 

[manimanc]

Hammers legend and a legend in the game.

 

[normskih]

Great centre half when football was played on grass and then sodden turf and mud and when football was for the working man/woman. A West Ham legend, I’m sure, who will be sadly missed. I liked the West Ham team he played in with Mervyn Day and Trevor Brooking.

 

[cookster]

Great player and a proper West Ham legend.
RIP Billy.

 

[SCEtoAUX]

Loved the West Ham team of that era, as others have said "proper football".

 

[KentBlue]

The older we get the more we lose people that have been a part of our lives, and it's true to say Billy was a part of mine. I won't go into details but I had brothers who were absolute Hammers fans,season ticket holders, the lot. I grew up watching the likes of Bonds, Moore, Peters, Hurst,Brooking and many of their-then household names.

I am genuinely saddened at this news, more so than I thought I would be considering I'm not a West Ham fan. This proves just how well respected the club and the team was back then amongst all football fans.

Have a long rest, mate - you earned it.

 

[stan bowles]

Sad news...what a player and he just seemed a fixture for West Ham - along with Frank Lampard - for well over a decade. Took over the Mr West Ham role after Bobby Moore moved on. Socks down, the long hair and the beard - Billy Bonds was a fine player. RIP.

 

[nmc]

In a world where the term “legend” is indiscriminately thrown about. Billy Bonds was a legend in the true sense of the word. God bless him.

 

[bluemoon32]

Really fine player, R.I.P Billy

 

[Vienna_70]

I’ve just read this.

Another legend of the game - not only West Ham - and a name from my younger days, has left us.

"Bonzo" was 79; not old by today's standards, but his name will live on as the Hammers' all-time record appearance holder.

R. I. P. Billy.

 

[Zabbasbeard]

Billy Bonds was one of those outstanding players when I was a boy. With his beard and long hair he looked like a lion and played like one at the heart of West Ham's midfield, defence after starting as a right back. I remember well what a great leader he was in two FA Cup Finals in 1975 and 1980 when the Hammers lifted the famous trophy. He was one of two Hammers lions with manes of hair and beards, the other being Frank Lampard Senior. What a great leader Bonzo was on the pitch and he was pretty good too off it as their manager. Billy Bonds was tough, uncompromising and a very good defender indeed. He was widely respected and of course much loved by West Ham supporters. What a player. To have made a record 799 appearances for West Ham is a great achievement. Heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and indeed everyone at West Ham. Thanks for the happy memories and rest in eternal peace.

 

[jimharri]

That'll be a big funeral in East London. Would the club consider paying a lasting tribute to him? Maybe name a stand, or one of the approaches to the stadium?

 

[Gaylord du Bois]

Great player. Hard as nails too. Should've been an England regular.

 

[Burtonblue]

Brilliant player.
The ultimate competitor. Loved watching him when I was a kid.
RIP Billy.

 

[Blumooniac]

A name that could have been from a Dickens novel. A great player and a true lion heart. As a 70's kid, that team and kit are engrained on my memory. My favourite London club. Condolences to his family and all Irons fans. A life well lived. RIP.

 

[Vienna_70]

That'll be a big funeral in East London. Would the club consider paying a lasting tribute to him? Maybe name a stand, or one of the approaches to the stadium?

It should have been done, while he was still with us.