Clyde Best has paid tribute to late West Ham United team-mate Billy Bonds, who passed away on Sunday at age 79.

Bonds was the longest-serving player in West Ham's history, making 799 appearances during a 21-year career with the club. He won two FA Cups and a Second Division title before retiring at age 41.

Best had the pleasure of playing alongside of the Englishman at Upton Park from 1968 to 1976 when he parted ways with the East London club.

“Billy was a fantastic player and having been around him all those years I got to see it every day,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“He was a great team-mate to play with because he encouraged you. He'd get you going and if you followed in his footsteps you couldn't go wrong because he was a great, great player.

“Billy was a person that never gave up; he ran for the whole 90 minutes non-stop. He was all over the place and he was a great team-mate to have and play with because his attitude towards the game is unbelievable.

“He was a real trooper who always gave 110 per cent every time. From the time the whistle blew until the end of the game, he gave you that energy. He loved fitness and you couldn't come on the field and try to cheat because he would let you know it

“He was a fantastic figure on the field. He played tough and gave his all, so it was a treat to play with him and be in his company all those years ago.”

After working as a coach with the Hammers, Bonds became manager in 1990 and a year later led the club to the First Division. He also led them back to the top flight in 1993, a year after being relegated.

After 27 years at West Ham, Bonds left the club in 1994. He was voted the club's greatest player in 2018 and a stand was named in his honour at the London Stadium the following year.

Bonds is also the first recipient of West Ham's first lifetime achievement award and, for his service to football, was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

“Billy loved the game of football and played for many, many years and got everything he deserved,” Best said. “He worked hard to achieve what he achieved.

“He not only played for West Ham but ended up coaching and managing them as well. He did a lot for the English game.

“It's sad to lose someone like Billy. He was not only a great footballer, he was a great human being and very likeable fellow.

“Many mornings when I was staying at my brother's in West Norwood I would pick him up if something was wrong with his car or he couldn't get in. We'd drive in together, so I knew him quite well and have to say he was a fantastic person. He was a diamond.

“I used to speak to him when he was well regularly, but once he took sick we didn't speak as much.

“My memories of him will always be a great person; a great human being and a very likeable person. You could not not like Billy when you met him.”

In a statement, West Ham said: “An extremely private and loyal man, Billy was completely devoted to his family — wife Marilyn, who sadly passed away in 2020, daughters Claire and Katie, and granddaughters Eloise and Elissa.

“Never one to crave the limelight, he was universally loved, respected and admired by his team-mates, players and supporters, who will forever consider themselves 'Billy Bonds' Claret and Blue Army'.

“The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at West Ham United are with Claire, Katie, Eloise and Elissa as they come to terms with their loss.

“Rest in peace Billy, our courageous, inspirational, lionhearted leader.”

A period of appreciation was held before kick-off when Liverpool visited the London Stadium on Sunday, with a full tribute to take place before West Ham's home fixture against Aston Villa on December 14.