John Bond (footballer)

John Frederick Bond (born 17 December 1932) is an English former professional football player and manager.

His son Kevin Bond is also a former footballer.

Playing career

John Bond was born in Dedham, Essex. He joined West Ham United in March 1950 from Colchester Casuals, his league debut coming two seasons later. His ability as a goal-scoring right back soon resulted in him gaining a regular place in the Hammers side, his partnership with Noel Cantwell proving particularly useful. As West Ham won the Second Division title in 1957–58, Bond missed only one game, and scored eight goals. He also played in the 1964 FA Cup Final win at Wembley towards the end of his Upton Park career, but missed out on the European Cup Winners' Cup Final victory the following season, despite playing four times in the earlier rounds of the competition. In January 1966, after 381 league games for the Hammers, in which he scored 32 times, Bond left to join Torquay United, then managed by his former West Ham team-mate Frank O'Farrell. He played 130 league games for the Gulls, scoring 12 goals, and helped Torquay to promotion at the end of his first season. He retired in 1969, having already opened a sweet shop (Bondy's Tuck Shop) in the Torre area of Torquay.

Coaching and managerial career

Bond's coaching career began when he joined the staff at Gillingham (having been turned down on applying for the manager's job at Torquay), and in May 1970 he was appointed manager at Bournemouth. He led...
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