Certain words are used with annoying regularity in the modern game. Players are variously described as ‘legends’, ‘icons’ and ‘heroes’ when they barely merit the label.
However, Billy Bonds ticked each of these boxes with consummate ease. In a 21-year playing career Bonzo straddled the two greatest periods in the club’s history. He played alongside Moore, Peters and Hurst in the 60s, and formed a new holy trinity with Trevor Brooking and Frank Lampard in the 70s. Most famously Bonzo lifted the FA Cup twice and led the Hammers to a European final.
When he died in November we fell back on the usual platitudes about the man and his life. If only because there was nothing else to say, but we quickly ran out of superlatives. I was fortunate enough to have seen him play on countless occasions. For many he is confined to the pages of history and archive footage. Those that actually knew him can offer the greatest insight. But what made Billy Bonds such a great man and brilliant footballer?
From Woolwich Apprentice to Upton Park
He was born in 1946 and lived opposite the Woolwich Ferry. Bonzo grew up in a loving and close knit family who always encouraged him as a footballer. As an apprentice at Charlton Athletic he learnt the trade, sweeping the stands, marking the pitch and cleaning senior players’ kits.
In his autobiography Bonzo recalled how much he enjoyed sweeping the stands after a game. “The real bounce for us was sweeping up after matches. It was a bad day when you didn’t wind up three or four bob better off from the coins you unearthed under all the litter. On what we were getting it was a welcome tax free bonus.”
Bonzo made his full league debut against Northampton Town in 1965 and within a couple of years had made the right back position his own. His parents Arthur and Barbara cheered from the terraces as the local kid made good. But good was about to get better as West Ham came calling in the summer of 1967.
Connecting with the Fans
Little did the club know they had signed a player with iron in his blood. His affinity and rapport with the fans quickly developed and was in no small part due to his mode of transport. Travelling on the bus to games at Upton Park he begun to understand their psyche. “I usually sat with my nose stuck in a book or paper ear wigging all the comments. They told me a lot about how West Ham supporters felt about the club.”
This need to connect would endear all those who came into contact with him, whether they be teammates, opponents, managers or fans. There was universal respect for Bonzo who exuded the fundamental qualities we seek in others. He was signed by the Hammers for £50,000, a not inconsiderable sum in those days. Any reservations he may have had about joining a star-studded squad were soon dispelled.
Manager Ron Greenwood later reflected in his autobiography Yours Sincerely: “Billy Bonds proved a magnificent buy, a perfect example of a good, hard professional. Billy was a resolute, tireless winner, and if every buy had proved half as good life would have been very sweet.”
The right back position was quickly nailed down as he made his First Division debut against Sheffield Wednesday. It was an exciting time for the club as they supplemented their World Cup trio with high profile signings like Bonzo, goalkeeper Bobby Ferguson and centre half Alan Stephenson. Trevor Booking and Frank Lampard also made their first team debut in that same season of 1967/68.
The “Ungainly Gait” and England Frustration
He developed a good understanding on the right flank with winger Harry Redknapp who would later act as best man at his wedding. Bonzo scored his first goal for the Hammers in a 2-1 London derby victory over Spurs. International recognition followed at the end of the 1968/69 season and was capped for England U23s against Wales and Holland; it seemed only a matter of time before a full cap would be awarded.
By 1971, he had moved into a defensive midfield role to protect and feed the creative talents of Trevor Brooking, something he achieved with considerable success. If that wasn’t enough, he also assumed the club captaincy when Bobby Moore left for Fulham. The biggest of boots were filled without the slightest drop of sweat being spilled. From this new advanced position, he became top scorer with 13 goals in the 1973/74 season, helping to assure the club’s First Division status.
But there was still this small matter of a full England cap. Frank Lampard was capped against Yugoslavia in 1972 but manager Alf Ramsey was unconvinced by our own Captain Fantastic. Back in the 1970s Ramsey managed both the U23 and full England sides so had already selected him at junior level.
Bonzo related a sad explanatory tale in his autobiography: “I thought the breakthrough had arrived one day when Ron Greenwood called me into his office at Upton Park and told me he’d been on the phone to Alf. ‘I told Alf how very well you are playing at the moment, and if he wants an attacking defender he could do no better than you’ he said. But the trouble is William, Alf says he doesn’t like the way you run. He thinks there’s something ungainly in your gait.” It seems the lamest of reasons not to select a talented player because he lacked balletic precision, but whilst Alf was in charge it was a dream that went on the back burner.
FA Cup Glory and the Viking Warrior
Meanwhile, Bonzo busily led the Hammers to FA Cup glory in 1975 and a classic European Cup Winners Cup Final a year later. He was at the peak of his powers, but such was the combative nature of his game that he frequently picked up injuries.
He had played with painkilling injections and a persistent groin problem was only properly addressed by an operation. Over the years he suffered a catalogue of injuries and would often take the field with his head swathed in bandages; typically the result of an altercation with someone’s boot or elbow. Bonzo thought nothing of a head injury that required stitches, and would happily go off, get them done and return as if nothing had happened. His supreme fitness and powers of recovery would enable a long playing career. But whatever the affliction he’d always come back stronger and fitter.
It was around this time that Ron Greenwood became manager of the England national side. Whilst some dismissed his selection as an old pal’s act, an England call-up was the least he deserved. However, fate would conspire against him once again. He was a non-playing substitute in a World Cup qualifier against Italy, and would have played in a later friendly against Brazil. But sustained a rib injury in a league game against Sheffield Wednesday and had to pull out.
Following the Hammers’ relegation in 1978, Bonzo formed a stellar partnership with Alvin Martin in the centre of defence. With Frank Lampard and Ray Stewart as full backs and Phil Parkes in goal, it was arguably the club’s finest ever defensive lineup. Another FA Cup win followed in 1980 and subsequently promotion and a run to the League Cup Final, all with Bonzo at the helm.
Management and the Bond Scheme Conflict
But now into his mid-thirties even his biggest fans were questioning how much longer he could carry on. A persistent toe injury curtailed his first team appearances, and he wisely relinquished the captaincy in favour of Alvin Martin. His playing career was winding down when he was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list. It was a fitting end that saw him make a record breaking 799 first team appearances and score 59 goals. But there was one final chapter before finally leaving his beloved West Ham.
John Lyall was sacked as manager following relegation from the top flight in 1989 and was replaced by Lou Macari. Bonzo continued as West Ham’s youth team manager, a post he had held since retirement. However, following Macari’s acrimonious exit a season and a half later, it was obvious to whom the board would turn. He was appointed in February 1990, but too late to rescue a faltering promotion campaign. Nevertheless, he guided the Hammers to a 7th place finish and the promise of happier days.
The 1990/91 season was drenched in glory as the Hammers were promoted in second place and reached the FA Cup semi-final. Bonzo had galvanised a squad of journeymen footballers and drove them into the Premier League. Such joy was short-lived as the disastrous bond scheme was announced in November 1991. Although the scheme evolved it initially aimed to make the fans pay for ground improvements.
Demonstrations and pitch invasions were a common feature as a poisonous atmosphere contributed to relegation after only one season. West Ham bounced back the following season but the writing was on the wall for Bonzo. Although recollections differ, he was manoeuvred out of the job in favour of Harry Redknapp. The offer of a place on the board would not placate him and left the club after 27 years of service. It was scant reward for two promotions and an FA Cup semi-final appearance.
Reflections from the Dressing Room
Bonzo took his ethos as a player into management and the players were deeply appreciative. Ian Bishop mused: “he was too honest for the game. He trusted me enough to make me his captain and was blessed to work with him and call him my friend.”
George Parris added: “I had the privilege of watching him play and playing alongside him. He transitioned to coach and then my manager – he was an inspiration.”
Tony Cottee recalled “a wonderful person who was quiet in the dressing room, no hollering and shouting but leading by example.”
The players he managed would have run through the proverbial brick wall for him. Peter Butler played under Bonzo for two years and admits it was probably the best time of his life. He recounts: “At Swindon during the promotion season I got two footed by Glenn Hoddle. Billy scowled at Hoddle and said ‘don’t do that again’. He had my back and I always remembered it. I wrote him a letter to say that he epitomised everything I was taught by my parents. Billy called to say he was keeping the letter because it meant so much to him.”
Many under his charge marvelled at his level of fitness even though he was in his 40s. Martin Allen, a member of both promotion winning sides recalled one occasion after training. “You’d hear someone thumping this boxing bag. But it wasn’t a tap, tap, tap. It was a really heavy bosh, bosh, bosh and we thought that’s Bill. I’d look in and see him wearing shorts, socks and trainers, no top but absolutely ripped, sweating and smashing this bag. Afterwards he walked through the dressing room and everyone fell silent. It was like being in the presence of a god, he just said ‘alright’ and kept walking. We just used to shake our heads and say oh my god what a man!”
A God of West Ham United
It would not surprise anyone to learn that he was fitter than many of the players he managed. Those fortunate enough to have seen him play would not have forgotten the experience. I for one have vivid memories of his swashbuckling style. Bonzo was a magnificent sight to behold, his very name became a war cry and call to arms.
Trevor Morley called him a “gentle Viking”. Ray Winstone said: “He had a blitz-like mentality and was like a buccaneering pirate. But was claret and blue through and through.” Had his circumstances been different he could have served with distinction in the armed forces. Because he was a natural leader and would have gained a chest full of medals in that setting. Anyone would have gone to war with Bonzo at their side.
There was absolutely no question how much Bonzo was loved and respected. Perhaps the ultimate compliment was from fans of other clubs expressing their condolence. Hammers’ superfan Cass Pennant remarked how many messages he received from fans of rival teams. Similarly, many messages I received when news broke were from Spurs supporting fans. One Arsenal supporting friend messaged me and said he was our equivalent to Tony Adams, only with ‘much more skill’. Yet it seems he was unsure of the regard fans had for him.
Tony Cottee feels he never properly realised how much the fans loved him. The day the Billy Bonds Stand was unveiled would surely have laid any such doubts to rest. Martin Allen takes up the story as a club ambassador on the day: “We all had to meet in the tunnel half an hour beforehand. All the club’s ambassadors were there and Billy came with all his family. We were looking at him and he had tears in his eyes. He was so proud and so big and strong. He made sure he shook the hand of every ambassador and player that was there. He went out onto the pitch and we were just behind him, and he was wiping the tears from his eyes. We were all crying as well. This passionate warrior and leader. Icon, god of West Ham United walked out – the reception was unbelievable.”
I couldn’t have summed it up better myself. I was there that day and felt deeply emotional as images from the past flashed through my mind. It was the closest I could get to thanking him – for all the years of pleasure he had given me and others of my generation. For making this club such an important part of our lives. For never quitting, for leading the line with total commitment to the cause. For making sure every West Ham fan knew he was wearing that shirt for them. God bless Bill and get ready to play for God’s XI.
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