Ian Wright pays touching tribute to West Ham legend Billy Bonds – ‘Unbelievable’
Ian Wright is the latest footballing figure to pay tribute to late West Ham United great Billy Bonds.
West Ham announced the passing of Bonds on Sunday at the age of 79.
Bonds is considered West Ham’s greatest ever player, with his 799 appearances in the claret and blue unlikely to ever be matched.
During that 21 year spell, Bonds lifted two FA Cups and the second division title, while also winning the Player of the Year award four times at Upton Park.
A number of current and former players have paid touching tributes to Bonds in recent days, with Wright the latest to do so.
Billy Bonds was just like Bobby Moore – Ian Wright
News of Bonds’ death came hours before West Ham’s defeat to Liverpool, with supporters able to pay their respects at the London Stadium.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Wright discussed his memories of Bonds from his own playing days.
“Billy Bonds. The great Billy Bonds, man. That was a sad one,” Wright said. “Something like 799 appearances. Unbelievable.
“I didn’t work with him, but I played against his teams and I met him a few times when I was at West Ham.
“He was that old school gentleman. He properly carried himself and spoke well, just like how Bobby Moore was when you met him. That was a shocker, a sad one.”
West Ham fans invited to pay their own tributes to Billy Bonds
This is understandably a very emotional time for everyone connected to the Hammers.
West Ham are in action against Manchester United on Thursday, but everyone’s thoughts are still very much with Bonds.
- Appearances: 799
- Years at West Ham: 1967–1988
- Trophies: Two FA Cups, Football League Second Division
West Ham have now shared details on how supporters can pay their own respects to the all-time great.
A temporary memorial area has been set up at the London Stadium outside the Billy Bonds Stand, which will be accessible up to the next home game against Aston Villa on 14 December.
A number of tributes will then be held for Bonds on the day of that match, with further details soon to be shared.
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