Why ‘Mr West Ham’ deserves this honour

AS well as tomorrow’s game against Newcastle, I know our fans are particularly looking forward to the official opening of the Billy Bonds Stand, with the great man in attendance.

Billy (right) played almost 800 games for the club over 21 years — an incredible total. I’ve reacheded nearly 500, but 799? If I wantedd to get close to Billy’s total, I would have to play almost another 10 seasons — and although I feel good right now, that’s not going to happen!

No one deserves this honourour more than him. For me, Billy isis whatwhat this club stands for and what it’s always been about. He is the epitome of a team player, always prepared to run the extra mile — or, in his case, hundreds of miles — for the team, rather than thinking of himself. Since I began playing, I’ve also tried to base my game on that sort of philosophy: putting the team first.

Tomorrow will be a special day, not only for him, but for his family and his legacy. My dad watched him play and told about how he was as a player. A security man at the club, Michael, has beenbe a fan all his life and he’s called call me Bonzo for the last 10 years ye — I don’t think he knows my proper name — and I take that as a great compliment.

Billy embodies West Ham. He H represented the fans on the th pitch and I just hope that, since sinc I got into the team, I’ve maintained maintai those traditions of hard work for the team and trying your best every time you pull on the shirt.

Billy loved a tackle in an era when you could really make an honest challenge without fear of punishment.

These days, you almost can’t tackle any more. A fraction out with your challenge and you run the risk of a straight red. Even the slightest mistimed tackle can often mean a yellow card and then you’re on a tightrope for the rest of the match.

It has even changed since I started playing. I used to fly into tackles when I was a young player but now, after being sent off and too many yellows, I have to be a lot more circumspect. In fact, every time I go in for a challenge now, I’m worried about a straight red and leaving your team in trouble.

I’ve seen footage of Billy playing and the impression I have is of someone you would always like to have in your team, especially if you’re expecting a scrap, but that’s not dismissing how good he was with the ball.

I hope he and his family thoroughly enjoy tomorrow — no one deserves it more than Billy.