The warning could not have been any clearer: "Six foot two, eyes of blue, Billy Bonds is after you."

Bonds, who has died aged 79, was West Ham 's former captain, defender, midfielder, coach, manager and record-appearance holder.

With his sinewy frame, long hair, straggly beard and socks rolled down around his ankles, Bonds ruled the centre of the pitch at Upton Park for the best part of 20 years.

The fans whose terrace chant was dedicated to their hardman skipper knew it, and they made sure the opposition knew it as well.

"No one took liberties with Billy Bonds," recalled Sir Trevor Brooking in his autobiography, My Life In Football.

And no one benefited more from playing alongside Bonds than Brooking, the duo forming the ultimate 'silk and steel' midfield partnership throughout t

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