West Ham great Billy Bonds dies aged 79, players wear black armbands during match against Liverpool

Billy Bonds, the former West Ham United player and manager described as one of football’s ‘greatest competitors’, has died. He was 79.

His death was confirmed in a statement from his family via West Ham on Sunday. The Premier League club said on Sunday that Bonds «died peacefully».

Former West Ham captain Bonds was the longest serving player in the club’s history, with 799 appearances over 21 years. He won two FA Cups before retiring at the age of 41.

He managed West Ham from 1990 to 1994.

“Dad loved West Ham United and its wonderful supporters with all his heart and cherished every moment of his time at the club,” his family said in a statement. «He will always be in our hearts and forever missed. We take comfort in knowing that his legacy will live on forever.»

In 2018, West Ham fans voted Bonds the club’s best ever player.

West Ham described him as one of the ‘greatest competitors English football has ever seen’. “Rest in peace, Billy, our courageous, inspiring, lion-hearted leader,” it said.

West Ham players, who hosted Liverpool in the Premier League at the London Stadium on Sunday, wore black armbands to commemorate the club legend.

Published on November 30, 2025