Latest News

Tony Gale has revealed how he and fellow former Hammers spurned the opportunity of media work yesterday out of respect to Billy Bonds.

A former team mate of and player under Billy Bonds during the 1980s and 1990s, Gale revealed that he and his team mates had made a pact not to appear in the media yesterday out of respect to Bonds.




And the 66-year-old, speaking to fans ahead of yesterday's Premier League encounter with Liverpool, also delivered an emotional and moving eulogy as tribute to Bonds, who died on Sunday morning at the age of 79 following a lengthy illness.

Supported by fellow former Hammers Alan Dickens and George Parris, Gale describe 'Bonzo' as "the best man you'll have ever met in your life".

"Billy was the most honest and straight man and probably the best leader I've ever worked under," said Gale. "The news [of Billy's passing] just rocked us all. I've been in the chairman's lounge with Sir Trevor [Brooking] and you can understand how gutted he is.

"Kenny Dalglish has been waxing lyrical about Billy, talking about the battles they had and saying what a great player he was and how underrated he was as a footballer.

"They've asked us to do TV and radio and we just said 'no'. But what Billy would've wanted us to do is talk to you - because you don't know how much he loved you all, the fans."

And Gale recalled the last fans event he worked with Bonds, which left the latter in tears. "He didn't realise how revered he was by you, he was that humble as a man," added Gale.

"On that day he was in tears, the strongest man I've know in my life crying when West Ham fans gave him such a wonderful reception. He was so lovely.

"We kind of knew it was coming, but we're still a bit gobsmacked by it all."

You may watch Gale's full speech below.





* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.