\n
LONDON (AP) – Former West Ham United player and manager Billy Bonds, described as one of soccer’s “greatest competitors”, has died. He was 79 years old. <\/p>\n
His death was confirmed in a statement released by his family through West Ham on Sunday. The Premier League club announced that Bonds “passed away peacefully” on Sunday morning. <\/p>\n
Former West Ham captain Bonds is the club’s longest-serving player, making 799 appearances over 21 years. He won the FA Cup twice before retiring at the age of 41. <\/p>\n
He managed West Ham from 1990 to 1994. <\/p>\n
His family said in a statement: “My father had a deep love for West Ham United and their amazing supporters and cherished every moment he spent at the club.” “He will always be in our hearts and forever missed. We take comfort in knowing his legacy will live on forever.” <\/p>\n
In 2018, West Ham fans voted Bonds the club’s best ever player.<\/p>\n
West Ham described him as one of the “greatest competitors English football has ever seen”.<\/p>\n
“Rest in Peace Billy, our brave, inspiring and lion-hearted leader,” it read.<\/p>\n
Bonds was applauded ahead of the West Ham v Liverpool match at the London Stadium on Sunday. <\/p>\n
Current captain Jarrod Bowen held up a shirt emblazoned with Bonds’ No. 4. <\/p>\n
“It’s a sad day for everyone because of what he meant to this club and what he achieved for this club,” Bowen said. “He will go down as perhaps West Ham’s biggest legend and the club’s greatest ever captain.”<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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