'Our courageous lion-hearted leader...RIP'

ON the pitch Billy Bonds was West Ham's fearless, inspirational leader, worshipped to this day by fans who saw him play.

- BY ANDY LINES

But after the whistle he was a gentle soul who couldn't wait to get home to his beloved wife, Marilyn, and their two daughters.

The Hammers legend, who has died at the age of 79, wasn't one to sit drinking into the night after a match.

Though he counted the likes of Bobby Moore, George Best and Peter Osgood as pals, the partying high life wasn't for him.

Following his death, the club for which he played 799 times described him as an "extremely private and loyal man - Billy was completely devoted to his family."

He was devastated when his Marilyn died in 2020.

Honour

"Rest in peace Billy, our courageous, inspirational, lionhearted leader" read West Ham's statement on the announcement of his death.