West Ham great Billy Bond has died aged 79

LONDON (AP) — Billy Bonds, the former West Ham United player and manager described as one of football’s “greatest rivals,” has died. He was 79.

His death was confirmed in a statement by his family via West Ham on Sunday. The Premier League club said Bonds “passed peacefully” on Sunday morning.

Former West Ham captain Bonds was the longest-serving player in the club’s history, making 799 appearances in a 21-year spell. He won two FA Cups before retiring at the age of 41.

He managed West Ham from 1990-94.

“Grandad loved West Ham United and its wonderful supporters with his heart and treasured 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 know that his legacy will live on forever.”

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

West Ham described him as “one of the greatest players English football has ever seen.”

“Rest in peace Billy, our courageous, inspiring, lion-hearted leader,” it said.

There was a minute’s applause for Bonds ahead of West Ham’s game against Liverpool at the London Stadium on Sunday.

Current captain Jarrod Bowen wore a shirt with Bond’s number 4 on the back.

“What he means to this club, what he has achieved for this club, it’s a sad day for everyone,” Bowen said. “He’s probably going to go down as West Ham’s biggest legend and the best club captain they’ve ever had.”