SM
Brighton vs. Southampton: 12 hrs 15 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Billy Bonds honoured with stand named after him at West Ham

:Headline: Billy Bonds honoured with stand named after him at West Ham: ID:349479: from db_amp
Bonds played some 799 games for the Irons.

West Ham are to name a stand at the London Stadium in honour of former captain and manager Billy Bonds, the Premier League club have announced.

Bonds, 72, is the Irons' record appearance holder, playing some 799 games, and twice lifted the FA Cup, in 1975 and 1980.

The current East Stand at the London Stadium, which holds more than 20,000 supporters, is to be officially unveiled ahead of the Premier League match against Newcastle on March 2.

The move sees Bonds join former Hammers players Bobby Moore and Sir Trevor Brooking in having a dedicated stand at the club.

Bonds 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."

Bonds added on the West Ham website: "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."

Bonds joined from Charlton in May 1967, initially as a right-back before moving into midfield. He was part of the West Ham side which reached the European Cup Winners' Cup final in 1976 and later, in a central defence alongside Alvin Martin, won the 1980/81 Second Division title.

After moving into a coaching role with the youth team, Bonds was given the manager's job in February 1990 following the departure of Lou Macari.

Under Bonds, the Irons secured promotion back to the top flight. Although relegated again at the end of the 1991/92 season after finishing bottom, the former captain oversaw another successful campaign, finishing as runners-up to Newcastle.

Having guided West Ham to 13th place in the Premier League, Bonds resigned in early August 1994, and was replaced by Harry Redknapp. Bonds later had a short spell in charge at Millwall.

Joint-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold said in a statement: "Since moving to London Stadium, 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.

"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."

amp_article__349479 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-02-06 11:10:47:
html db last update - 2019-02-06 11:10:47 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Billy Bonds

Click here for more stories about West Ham United

Share this article now:
Read more about Billy Bonds Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .