Born in south east London in 1946, Billy Bonds came through the ranks at his local club Charlton Athletic but it was in the famous claret and blue of West Ham United that he made his name over three decades of loyal service. Signed by Hammers manager Ron Greenwood for £50,000 in the summer of 1967 and he made his first team debut against Sheffield Wednesday in the opening game of the 1967-68 season. It was to be the first of a phenomenal 793 appearances for West Ham and Bonds soon became a firm favourite with the Upton Park faithful. Athletic, whole-heartedly committed and tough tackling, Bonds started out at right back but moved to midfield and finally centre half later in his career. A natural leader on the pitch, Bonds was appointed club captain in 1974 in succession to Bobby Moore and a little over a year later, he led the team out at Wembley for the FA Cup final against Fulham, which the Hammers won 2-0. West Ham went onto to reach the final of the 1976 European Cup Winners' Cup and although they..