The club announced a period of appreciation ahead of their Premier League clash with Liverpool and planned a full tribute before the December 14 match against Aston Villa at the London Stadium.

News of Bonds’s passing was released via a family statement on West Ham’s official site.

Bonds stepped down as West Ham manager in 1994 and was succeeded by his close ally Harry Redknapp.

During his time as manager from 1990 to 1994, Bonds oversaw 227 games, with 67 defeats.

Bonds captained West Ham to FA Cup glory twice, lifting the trophy in 1975 and again in 1980.

West Ham United paid a heartfelt tribute to Billy Bonds, the club’s former captain, manager, and long-serving figure, following his death at 79.

He was appointed an MBE in January 1988, and the east stand at West Ham’s London Stadium was named in his honour in 2019.

Current captain Jarrod Bowen termed Bonds the best captain in West Ham’s history, with players wearing black armbands and Bonds’s image shown on screens before kick-off against Liverpool.

Bowen’s pre-match tribute highlighted Bonds as the greatest captain in the club’s history, as tributes included armbands and screens displaying his image.

Bonds is remembered as a club icon and was widely loved and respected by teammates, players, and supporters as part of the “grenat et bleu army.”

The story notes ongoing media tributes and coverage surrounding Bonds’s legacy.

A promotional note about Hits Radio for UK news updates is included, but not related to Bonds.