Now, it’s fair to say, we all have our heroes, it’s part of the fabric of growing up.
Those fortunate to be West Ham United supporters and who have been around for a long time, have had many a great player grace the famous claret and blue shirt and it’s fair to say there are a plethora of players that fans might name as their all-time favourite, with Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore, Trevor Brooking and Martin Peters springing instantly to mind.
For me though, my favourite all-time player, if I had to pick just one, would be Billy Bonds.
Bonds, who was West Ham through and through, made a total of 799 appearances for the club, a record I’m pretty certain, will never be beaten, especially seeing as football has changed so much over the years.
Bonds feat of becoming our record appearance maker was recognised on the Twitter feed of our fine club:
7 September marks the 36th anniversary of Billy Bonds' establishing himself in the annals of West Ham United history.https://t.co/MpwWbKsoS3
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) September 7, 2018
But, although the club bas honoured several of its past players, naming stands after them, at Upton Park, recognition of Bonds achievements have seen the Hammers support, via social media, asking for more to be done:
Totally different generation to me but anybody who bleeds the claret and blue knows this man Epitomises the club West Ham were. Why we don’t do more to honour this man is beyond me. We shunned bobby moore whist he was alive don’t do the same to another legend!!! Sort it out
— Steven squidge ault (@AultSteven90) September 7, 2018
And still no stand to honour him
— Dominic Adams (@Dominic65712214) September 7, 2018
Does Billy deserve that ultimate honour?
Continuing, the spirit and commitment Bonds showed, every time he pulled on a West Ham shirt, is something that appears to be missing amongst our current side, a fact also recognised on social media:
A true legend, gentleman and footballer…. we need a few more like him now. God bless ya Bill ⚒
— Paul Wallace (@2ndsonofJim) September 7, 2018
Back when we had players worthy of wearing the shirt ????
— ????TOMELLMORE67???? (@TOMTHEHAMMER67) September 7, 2018
A true gent who gave everything every time he pulled on the shirt.
— Eric Cross (@EricCro89719794) September 8, 2018
Bonds was unique and I’m not sure we’ll see another of his ilk emerge again.
But in finishing this article, I couldn’t help but us the following social media comment:
If Carlsberg did football transfers……..
— Simon Oakden (@simon_oakden) September 7, 2018
Just imagine it, being able to go back in time and pluck one player from our past to buy for the modern team, just who would you opt for?
COYI’s
