At last…at long long last – Bill Bonds has received the honour he truly deserves.
This morning the club has announced – clearly with great pride – that the great man is to be permanently honoured at London Stadium with a stand in his name.
The current East Stand will become the Billy Bonds Stand, in tribute to the club’s record appearance holder and the man who twice lifted the FA Cup, in 1975 and 1980.
The Billy Bonds Stand will be unveiled in a ceremony prior to kick-off at the Club’s Premier League fixture against Newcastle United on Saturday 2 March.
And Bonzo told www,whufc.com said: “I have so many great memories of this club and this really is the icing on the cake. It’s a great honour and means so much to me and my family.
“To think that I am only the third West Ham player to receive this honour after Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking – you can’t get better than that. Two people that I admire, two great footballers, and two great friends.
“I am very lucky – I have had such great support at this club over the years. The fans have always been great to me, from day one. The one thing I always did was give effort, first and foremost, and if the West Ham fans see that, they will forgive a lot of things.
“It is going to be a special day on 2 March. I am really looking forward to it and it will be lovely for my family. I have two daughters and two granddaughters, and they can’t wait to come to London Stadium to see it.
“I’m getting on a bit now, into my 70s, but it will be great – when I’m no longer around – for my granddaughters to come here and say ‘That’s Grandad’s stand’. That will be lovely.”
Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold said: “This is a proud and historical moment for West Ham United, as we honour one of the very greatest players ever to pull on the famous Claret and Blue shirt.
“Since moving to London Stadium in the summer of 2016, it has always been our desire and intention to ensure that Billy is appropriately recognised, and his name will now stand permanently and proudly at our home.
“To West Ham United supporters, Billy Bonds epitomises the very heart and soul of our Football Club. A man who gave blood, sweat and tears during the course of a 21-year playing career and led the Club with dignity and pride as a manager between 1990 and 1994.
“This honour is another hugely positive step for the Club at London Stadium. With 60,000 supporters now in attendance at a home that pays fitting tribute to our unique heritage and the greatest players in our history, we look forward to a bright and successful future.”
ClaretandHugh says: Billy Bonds is loved by absolutely everybody associated with this club – and beyond. There some who even believe he has surpassed Mooro as the greatest player to represent this club. HE won’t have that because Bob was his personal idol but it’s hard not to accept that, at the very least, his passion and determination for this club of ours doesn’t make him Mooro’s equal. He was totally devoted to West Ham United and so deservedly became the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. CandH remembers him too for the astonishing collection of memorabilia he donated to our auction for Isla Caton. A truly great man on and off the pitch and one of great humility. On the pitch he was the warrior of warriors – a man from an age when loyalty meant something a bit more than kissing a badge. He didn’t need to do that- we knew, we just knew he was the man. Nobody deserves this honour more.
A great honour, for a great man. Every player at our club, present and future, should heed these words from Billy. “The one thing I always did was give effort, first and foremost, and if the West Ham fans see that, they will forgive a lot of things.”
Bobby Moore was this clubs greatest player, but Billy Bonds was the greatest servant this club has ever had. There will never be another one like him.
Not before time ( how long does it take?? ).
Six foot two, eyes of blue…
Great news.i only got to see him during his later years in 1987, as he was injured in my first ever season 85/86 but he was often still the best player out there .one that comes to mind was a 3-2 win over forest in that 87/88
Fantastic player. Fantastic man. Great tribute. Your words gave me goosebumps, Hugh – well said.
So who could possibly get the fourth stand honour, I wonder?
Thank you but I can’t really get close to what this man is all about pal.
My favourite west ham player of all time.
I will be well chuffed to know my season ticket will be in the billy bonds stand.
My idol growing up top top proffesional.. as you say Hugh no need to kiss the badge you won’t get anyone more loyal ,and what a player ..hard but fair
Great achievement and well written Hugh. ..I wish some of our players today took a leaf out of bills book when you talk about effort a n d desire..🙅🙅🙅
Thank you Hammerkip but none of my words can truly do this fabulous man (on so many levels) justice
Well deserved a genuine legend COYI !!!
Great honour for a great man. So many happy memories. No disrespect to any of the other legends but Bonzo’s picture has pride of place on my wall. Maybe not the greatest player, although he was some player! I think that many outside the club & the media just saw him as a clogger because of his commitment & his move into defence in his later years. But he had talent to spare & anyone who saw him in his early years before he had a really bad injury will confirm that. But it will be for that never say die commitment that we all love him. He never gave up!! Those of us who saw him in the flesh are privileged. And lucky.