It was great to see at the recent kit reveal that Billy Bonds and Trevor Brooking involved.
Hopefully this is only the start of Billy Bonds being seen around the club a lot more.
In a time when the support does seem split more than ever before into generations then it would be a good move to involve some of the legends around the club to bring together supporters by bridging the generation gaps.
I’m at the age where I’m now talking about how good some past players were in comparison to the current ones.
Bobby Moore, although I’m told I did see him play before he left in 1974, I would have been 4 or 5 so not something that I can really remember.
So when I think about of legends of the club since late 70’s then it is becoming a long list.
But for me If I did put legends into a list then I would need to split them into different levels.
In the top level would be Brooking & Bonds.
Sir Trevor has been recognised by the club over the years in terms of the Stand at Upton Park and now the London Stadium.
Bonds hasn’t had this recognition.
I have replied to a number of tweets with my feelings towards this when I hear that the club cannot name another stand because we don’t own the Stadium. Well we did own Upton Park and it wasn’t done there either.
Surely the club has learnt from the mistake made with Bobby Moore.
I know it was different owners, but it is well known how he was treated before his death.
Billy Bonds achievements should be recognized far more and shown to the younger generation in the same way Bobby Moore is well known across all generations.
Before saying what I would do, I would like to list some of Billy Bonds achievements.
Player and Manager of our Club
As a player
793 appearances
21 Year career, making his debut in 1967 and finally retiring in 1988 at the age of 41
Captained the 1975 & 1980 FA Cup winning teams
If I right, he was only the 4th Captain to do this from 1900 when we won in 1980.
Remembering we were also a 2nd Division side in 1980.
He did retire in 1984 but due to injuries in the squad was persuaded to continue to help the club.
At that point he had played 17 seasons
A quick stat, he appeared in 602 games out of 714 available
84% of all league matches over 17 seasons.
At a time when we have been calling out for holding midfielder, how we could do with a Bonds to control the Midfield in the same way he did allowing Brooking to push on.
Before he moved back to centre half and what a partnership he had with Alvin Martin.
So what can the club do without making excuses?
My 5 suggestions: –
Name the Training ground -The Billy Bonds Training Academy
Another known story known by most of my generation, Bonds won the annual pre-season cross country run year and year even into his later playing years against much younger players.
So how fitting would it be for the training ground to carry his name (Even though its moved)
Make him an Official Club Ambassador in the same way Man Utd have done with Bobby Charlton for many years.
And I mean official, with it being a role shown on the club website along with Brooking.
In the stadium, even if we can’t name a stand which I really don’t understand.
Fill one of the voids around the pitch/stand with Billy Bonds 4 or across the green carpet opposite the tunnel in full view of cameras. Or when changing seat colours incorporate it in that, its not naming the stand!
Outside the Stadium, there has been talk of a fan Zone. Rather than just call it the Heineken or Carlsberg fan zone for commercial gain, then name it – Billy Bonds Claret & Blue Army Zone
Museum– Get this up and running and have a dedicated area to Bonds listing all his achievements and record for the older generation to reminisce and the younger generation to learn.
I don’t feel any of the above would be that hard to do.
By DazP@Kirtonhammer
It was great reading this and thinking back to the player! Billy Bonds was something special and needs to have some sort of recognition of his time at the club. He was my first favourite player going all the way back to the late 80s. Playing in the school yard, everyone picking players to be – ‘Who are you?’ ‘I’m Billy Bonds!’ Chest out, full of pride. Great Days!