Fifty years ago today a 21-year-old clean-shaven Billy Bonds signed for West Ham United on 13th May 1967 for the princely sum of £49,500 from Carlton Athletic.
The Legendary West Ham player and captain who lifted two FA Cups and made a Club record number of first team appearances hung up his boots at the age of forty-one to become the youth coach. A phenomenal 20 years, nine months and 12 days separated the first and the final of Billy Bonds’ appearances for West Ham.
His two decades of unflinching service saw many changes at the Boleyn Ground – not least his own gradual transformation from clean-shaven youngster to a bearded elder statesman, but throughout the years Bonds was a constant rock for the Hammers, both in the good times and the darker days. His 793 appearances for West Ham is a club record will never be eclipsed.
Photo Credit of Billy Bonds in 1967: Steve Marsh http://theyflysohigh.co.uk/
Excellent piece . On a true WEST-HAM UNITED LEGEND. BONZO is the type of person player manager & man any person could up to.
What the man gave on a daily basis over many many years to our club should be HONOURED before we lose the chance to show him our love .
#thankyoubonzo HERO&LEGEND.
Oops LOOK UP TOO