Legendary former West Ham player and manager Billy Bonds has died aged 79.
The Londoner made 799 appearances for the Hammers, a club record, and captained the side to FA Cup glory in 1975 and 1980.
An announcement from Bonds’ family read: ‘We’re heartbroken to announce that we lost our beloved Dad today. He was dedicated to his family and was probably 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 on the Club.
‘He’ll all the time be in our hearts and eternally missed. We take comfort knowing that his legacy will continue to exist without end.’
Your ultimate guide to the football season
Metro’s football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive evaluation, FPL suggestions and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – enroll, it’s an open goal.
Former West Ham star Joe Cole said on TNT Sports: ‘Billy Bonds was manager once I signed. He was really kind to me and my family.
‘Growing up at West Ham, his name is synonymous with the club. Every part that’s good about West Ham, Billy Bonds, that was him. It’s really sad news and my thoughts and prayers are along with his family.’
A West Ham statement hailed the enduring figure and revealed a ‘period of appreciation’ ahead of the Premier League match against Liverpool on Sunday.
‘One among the best competitors English football has ever seen, Billy passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, on the age of 79,’ the club posted.
‘He stands unrivalled because the longest-serving player within the Club’s 130-year history, having made a complete of 799 appearances across an impressive 21-year profession that saw him captain us to 2 FA Cup triumphs and a Second Division title, win 4 Hammer of the Yr awards, and awarded two testimonials, a PFA merit award and an MBE for services to football.
‘After hanging up his boots on the grand age of 41, Billy was handed a training role by the nice John Lyall, working alongside Tony Carr with the Club’s Youth Team.
‘In February 1990, he was appointed as first-team manager, leading the club to promotion from Division Two and an FA Cup semi-final in 1991.
‘After relegation in 1992, Bonds immediately led the Hammers back into the top-flight in 1993, as we became a Premier League Club for the primary time.’
The Hammers added: ‘The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at West Ham United are with Claire, Katie, Eloise and Elissa as they arrive to terms with their loss, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this sad and difficult time.
‘A period of appreciation to honour Billy will likely be held before kick-off at today’s Premier League home fixture v Liverpool, and a full tribute will happen at our next home fixture against Aston Villa, on Sunday 14 December. Further tributes can even appear across Club channels in the approaching days.’
Billy Bonds’ West Ham honours
FA Cup: 1975 & 1980
Second Division: 1980/81
Bonds was made an MBE in January 1988.
On punditry duty on TNT Sports when the news broke, Peter Crouch said: ‘I had the pleasure of meeting him just a few times as well. An important man, a legend at West Ham. All West Ham supporters will likely be very thankful for the job he did on the club. At the start he was an incredible person.’
MORE: Why are there Premier League games kicking off at 2.05pm today?
MORE: Alan Shearer’s Premier League predictions including Chelsea vs Arsenal
MORE: Hugo Ekitike injury latest ahead of West Ham vs Liverpool