In The News

Former football manager John Bond passes away

Former football manager John Bond passes away

THE former footballer and manager John Bond has passed away. He was 79.

Mr. Bond spent the greater part of his playing career as right-back with West Ham. He spent 16 years at the club making more than 400 appearances. During his time there, the club won the Second Division title in the 1957-58 season and picked-up the F.A. Cup in 1964.

After leaving the side in 1966 he spent a spell playing for Torquay United.

He went on to have a distinguished career in management, beginning with Bournemouth. But he will be best remembered for his time in charge of Norwich and Manchester City (see below).

While at Norwich the side reached the final of the League Cup in 1975 but were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa. He was to miss out on an F.A. Cup win while in charge of Manchester City.  The side took on Spurs in the 1981 final at Wembley with the game ending 1-all after extra time. In the replay, City were beaten 3-2 with the winning goal from Ricky Villa being voted Goal Of The Century in 2001.

His management career also included spells with Burnley, Swansea, Birmingham, Shrewsbury and Witton Albion.

Among those to pay tribute was the former manager Ron Atkinson who said he regarded his good friend as having been one of the great football coaches. He added: “John was larger-than-life. Always with a big smile and usually with a big cigar”.

Norwich and Manchester City were among the many clubs to pay tribute to their former manager.

In a statement, Norwich City said Mr. Bond had made a considerable contribution to the side. The statement continued: “He led City back to the top flight in his first full season in charge and to a Wembley League Cup final appearance.

“During his tenure he brought players such as World Cup winner Martin Peters to the club, which helped trigger an exiting brand of attacking football at Carrow Road.”

The Manchester City statement recalled Mr. Bond’s successful spell in charge: “Before Roberto Mancini in 2011, John Bond was the last manager to lead the Blues to a Wembley Cup Final, only going down in the replay courtesy of Ricky Villa’s famous goal.”

To view an excerpt from the 1981 TV documentary, City!, which covered the period when John Bond became manager of Manchester City, click here.

 

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