Billy Bonds, the former West Ham United captain and manager, has died at the age of 79 after a long illness, the club announced. Affectionately known as Bonzo, he served the east London club for 21 seasons as a player and later managed the side for four seasons.
Bonds made 799 first-team appearances for West Ham, more than any other player in the club's history. He was named player of the year four times (1971, 1974, 1975, 1987) and captained the Hammers to FA Cup victories in 1975 and 1980. The East Stand at the London Stadium bears his name.
After retiring as a player in 1988, Bonds became manager in 1990 and led West Ham back to the top flight in 1990-91 via the Second Division runners-up spot. He also secured promotion again in 1992-93 after relegation. He resigned in August 1994 and later managed Millwall before leaving football in 1998.
Former midfielder Joe Cole paid tribute, saying Bonds was "everything that's good about West Ham". The club will hold a period of appreciation before Sunday's home game against Liverpool, with a full tribute planned for the fixture against Aston Villa on 14 December.
Bonds is survived by his daughters Claire and Katie, and granddaughters Eloise and Elissa. His wife Marilyn passed away in 2020.
