Billy Bonds bade an emotional farewell to his old stomping ground this afternoon when he gave an emotional speech to the Boleyn faithful during half time of the Premier League clash with Arsenal.
Bonds - who spent over 25 years at the club as player and manager and is rated by many as the club's greatest living legend - appeared close to tears at points as he thanked the club's fans for their continuous support."There's been so many memories," the 69-year-old told match day announcer Martin Godleman. "When I first walked through those doors Moore, Hursty and Martin Peters had just won the World Cup - as our fans think! - and it was a big time for me.
"I was very nervous when I came in but I was made welcome."
Bonds was one of a host of former players to attend today's game
Bonds - who left the club unexpectedly in 1994 after being stabbed in the back by former best friend Harry Redknapp - admitted that his speech was 20 years late but paid tribute to the clubs fans who, he insisted, are the very essence of the football club.
"These people here, the fans, have been absolutely fantastic to me," he added. "When I left the club 20 years ago I never got the chance to say 'thank you' to the players I left behind and to these people. They were fantastic supporters.
"Without them you haven't got a football club. They are the heart and soul of the club. We're going to a new stadium and I'm sure they're going to go in their numbers and follow their team.
"They been great - and I loved every minute playing in front of them."
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