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West Ham Tribute paid to club legend Billy Bonds, Who has died at the age of 79before Sunday’s kick-off liverpool,
Bonds remains the longest-serving player in West Ham’s history, making 799 appearances for the club in a 21-year career.
he won fa cup He won two Irons titles as well as Second Division titles, four Hammer of the Year awards, and two commendations, and claimed both a PFA Merit Award and an MBE for services to football.
The club released a statement confirming that he died on Sunday, and paid tribute to “our courageous, inspirational, lion-hearted leader”.
And tributes were paid ahead of West Ham’s match against Liverpool at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
A large banner of Bonds holding the FA Cup after the win against Fulham in the 1975 final was decorated at both ends before kick-off, while a video montage was played to honor his historic career.
Players from both teams stood in the center circle in front of the West Ham captain for a minute of applause, with the entire stadium on its feet. jarrod bowen Placed a shirt with Bonds’ number 4 in front of his eponymous stand. Four minutes later another round of applause began.
Bowen said on Sky Sports before the game: “You can already see the reaction from everyone online, what he means to this club, what he has achieved at this club, obviously a stand has even been named after him, so it’s a sad day for everyone. Our thoughts are with his family, I know the supporters here will be shouting for him today as well.
“He’s probably going to go down as West Ham’s biggest legend, their best club captain. He’s achieved a lot here. I’ll never emulate that success, but to wear the captain’s armband, especially like he did, is a big, big thing for me, so to have a game today is what I want to show and what the team want to show too.”
former midfielder joe cole He paid tribute to Bonds, describing the former Irons captain as “everything that is good about West Ham”.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Cole said: “Billy Bonds was the manager when I signed as a kid and he was really kind to me and my family. Growing up at West Ham, his name became synonymous with the club.
“He was everything that is good about West Ham, Billy Bonds. This is truly sad news and thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Following his playing career, Bonds became first-team manager in 1990 and led West Ham to promotion from Division Two as well as an FA Cup semi-final in 1991, returning them to the top flight – by then renamed the Premier League – following their relegation the previous year in 1993.
In 2013 Bonds was awarded the club’s first Lifetime Achievement Award and was voted by fans as West Ham United’s greatest ever player after five years, having dedicated 27 years of service to the Iron.
In 2019 the London Stadium was named the Billy Bonds Stand in his honour. He is survived by his daughters Claire and Katie and granddaughters Eloise and Alyssa.