Irons legend Billy Bonds will not have a stand named after him at the Olympic Stadium.
Last year a group of West Ham fans put together a petition calling for the Olympic Stadium East Stand to be renamed the Billy Bonds Stand which 1,804 fans have signed.
West Ham negotiated to retain the right to name the south and north stands which they have already named the Bobby Moore and Sir Trevor Brooking stands which are identical to the current Boleyn Ground.
Unfortunately West Ham were not able to secure no rights to name the East and West stands which leaves the possibility the rights will be sold to sponsors by stadium owners E20 Stadium LLP.
Billy also missed out when the lounges and bars were named with only Arnold Hills and Bobby Moore getting named recognition.The lounges and bars have been named the BM6 Lounge, Arnold Hills, Royal East, Forge Lounge, Great Briton, the Academy bar and the Boleyn Bar.
FA Cup-winning captain and four-time Hammer of the Year also served as a youth coach under John Lyall.
Wrong, wrong, wrong!!
How difficult would’ve it of been to at least name a lounge after Bonds at the OS?
Many fans wouldn’t even know the connection with Hills and the man himself was reported to not be the type to have anything like this named after him.
793 appearances, almost certainly never to be topped, he deserves it.
Its all fine plastering Bonds at the Boleyn, but I want to see the his never-say-die spirit project into the future: IE a BIG honour at the OS. Far bigger than naming a lounge or bar after him (which isn’t happening anyway – very strange!). Lets have a BIG STATUE facing main entrance from Westfield…with trademark socks rolled down! This is a MUST. He IS Me West Ham. The fans hero!
Just read the post about the removal of the Bobby Moore statue,and how it’s got to be replaced with another with Westham connection,
That’s the chance put a new statute there with Billy Bonds the central figure,maybe a group or team of ex Westham Greats,
Just an idea
King Billy Bonds,i bet his middle name is west ham.I have supported this club since september 1966.To this day i always think of Bill as Mr West Ham,and like Bobby Moore,he played with pride and dignity.Bill should have been incorperated into the club years ago,he could have been given a role akin to Bobby charltons at manu.I am sure the Davids will come up with something,they are fans like us and will recognise Bills impotrance to us.
We’ve known that for least a year, so nothing new there. It was part of the OS contract.
I’m a big Billy Bonds fan but did we have a stand named after him at the Boleyn?
Maybe the new flats going where are old ground is would be good Billy Bonds Mews,
Just sitting next to Billy’s Avenue which you get to by Bonds Way,
All called the Billy Bonds Estate
Billy would say let it go its to late now,he should not be an after thought
Hope a local brewery is watching this near the new ground,change your pub name now
The Billy Bonds Arms
A nice big statue with his socks rolled down and hands on hips ! Luvly Jubly!!!!
Yes,the rolled down socks was his trademark.
What more can a man do to deserve recognition? 7 bars and lounges and no one thought to name one after our record appearance,two time cup winning captain. Come on Hammers do something to honour this great servant to our club.
The insider says they are planning to honour him in a different way, lets see what that is.
I am really upset about this. I saw Moore + Trev play, but to me Billy was the guts, heart and soul of WHU. I don’t know why the club doesn’t make him top of the list. It is verging on supicious. He is a hero and a role model for so many. We need something BIG that is the spirit of Billy Bonds instilling pride for Hammers supporters and fear for opponents….
Come on WHU, honour this great man in a BIG way…Maybe, just like Bobby’s statue gazes out over people arriving at Wembley, Billy should do the same…
I don’t believe in “It can’t be done”
Disgraceful , makes you sick to you’re belly !!!!
With you there, Johnny-boy! Massive downer….Massive…leaves a horrible hole….