West Ham have led tributes to “lion-hearted leader” Billy Bonds , following the club legend’s death on Sunday .

Bonds is the Hammers’ all-time record appearance holder, playing 799 games during 21 seasons at the club .

As captain, he led West Ham to FA Cup glory in 1974 and 1980.

Bonds became West Ham manager in 1990, leading them to promotion to the First Division in 1991 and the Premier League in 1993.

In a heartfelt statement confirming the news, West Ham hailed their “courageous, inspirational, lion-hearted leader” and “one of the greatest competitors English football has ever seen”.

News broke on Sunday morning as Cole was on air, and the former Hammers star paid his respects to Bond.

Everything that's good about West Ham, Billy Bonds, that's him

Joe Cole

Speaking on TN

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