As we mourn one of football's greats and his association with West Ham, we should not forget that he started out with Charlton.
Born in Woolwich, Bonds grew up in Eltham, where he played for a Sunday boys' team, Moatbridge, and Kent Schoolboys and joined the ground staff at Charlton after leaving school at 15. He played in the youth and A team and occasionally in the reserves before joining the playing staff shortly before his 18th birthday in September 1964.
Bonds played his first game for Charlton against Northampton Town in February 1965. He became a first team regular for three seassons and went on to make 95 appearances for the Addicks, scoring one goal, before signing for West Ham for £50,000.
Using the Bank of England inflation calculator this would be £855,000 in 2025 prices.
One fan recalled how he came into the bank he worked in and always had time for a chat, particularly about Charlton. Fans are agreed that he was a true gentleman.
Some more details of his relationship with Charlton appeared in a double spread in The Times yesterday.
He remained a south Londoner all his life, always living that side of the river, heading back through the Blackwall Tunnel before some of his team mates has showered.
It is said that Arthur and Barbara Bonds were watching Charlton at The Valley hours before William was born. They returned to the terraces with him when he was three months old.
Even so they insisted that he start work in a ship propeller factory for two months before he joined Charlton.
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