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John Bond, former Norwich & Man City manager, dies at 79

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments208

Former Norwich and Manchester City manager John Bond has died at the age of 79.

During three years in charge at Maine Road, Bond took City to the 1981 FA Cup final, where they lost to Tottenham.

He also took Norwich to Wembley for the 1975 League Cup final but missed out on the trophy as Aston Villa beat his Canaries 1-0.

He spent 16 years as a player at West Ham, making 444 appearances and winning the FA Cup in 1964.

Current Norwich manager Chris Hughton paid tribute to Bond after his side's 1-0 win over Doncaster in the Capital One Cup.

"It was fitting that Norwich won and there was nice respect from the crowd with the minute's silence," Hughton said.

"When I came to this club the first name I thought of as a former manager was John Bond. If I am able to be at this club anywhere near as long as John was, then I will be incredibly lucky. He will be thought of very fondly by a lot of people."

It was during his time at West Ham that Bond formed his management ethos.

He would join future managers Malcolm Allison, Frank O'Farrell and Dave Sexton to discuss ideas about how to win games.

After the right-back finished his career with a two-year stint at Torquay, he took his first steps into management at Bournemouth.

In November 1973 he took charge at Norwich and recovered from relegation during his first season in charge to win promotion back to the top flight a year later.

He resigned in 1980, replacing Malcolm Allison at Manchester City, and took the club to the FA Cup final during his first campaign as manager.

Bond went on to manage Burnley, Swansea, Birmingham and Shrewsbury without repeating his earlier success.

His last post as a manager was a short spell at Northern Premier League side Witton Albion in 1998.

"John was a real character with a great sense of humour and presence. He will be sadly missed," said Howard Wilkinson, chairman of the League Managers' Association.

Ken Brown, his assistant at Bournemouth and Norwich, says Bond was passionate about being a manager.

"He used to think it was his fault if the game didn't go right," he told BBC Radio Norfolk."It wouldn't be the players' fault. I couldn't quite get to grips with that but when I became manager I got the same feelings - you do have to take responsibility."

Paul Power, Manchester City's captain in the 1981 FA Cup final, told BBC North West Tonight: "He had a big personality.

"When he spoke, you listened. He wouldn't suffer fools but he wasn't a bully.

"I've played under managers that have ruled the dressing room in a bullying manner, but he wasn't like that.

"If he felt he needed a firm word with you, he'd do it on a one-to-one basis and wouldn't belittle people in front of each other.

"He'll definitely be a part of Manchester City's history, and he's had a big part in my life as well.

"He supported me when I was captain of Manchester City and supported what we did. He was good for the club at that stage."

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker said on Twitter:external-link "One of the great characters of football, both as a manager and in the TV studio."

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208 comments

  • Comment posted by U10831935, at 12:24 26 Sep 2012

    RIP JOHN.

    I am getting sick to death of the mindless idiots that troll around internet sites looking to peddle the spurious and hate filled nonsense that occupies their minds.

    I'm really considering giving up on football as I am tired of reading nothing about race rows, sick chants and Tweets making headlines. Football needs to grow up. Fast.

  • Comment posted by U15437724, at 12:06 26 Sep 2012

    @55, if you feel he was a 'journeyman' not deserving of news that's fine. But if he interests you so little why bother posting your opinion on a thread such as this?

    This is more like a book of condolence, and for some to share their memories of the man.

    You just seem to be deliberately stirring for no apparent reason. Not a very nice trait...

  • Comment posted by U14467694, at 11:52 26 Sep 2012

    @ 36. If you've nothing sensible to say, because you don't know who John Bond was, then either do some research or keep quiet. That way, you can at least make a knowledgeable comment, rather than an stupid and ignorant one. I'm sure others will share this point of view!

  • Comment posted by blue_chico, at 12:14 26 Sep 2012

    I'm finding it hard to fathom about why there are so many comments requiring the moderator's attention on an article about the death of one of football's genuine nice guys.

    Beggars belief, some people really do need to get a grip.

    RIP John. Thanks for some great memories.

  • Comment posted by Shankill bob, at 14:00 26 Sep 2012

    Unfortunately some people will be oblivious to feeling or sharing a common respect for a true servant of the game; thankfully those people are in the minority and their views a minor irritant against the great swathe of posts. You don't have to personally know a good man to appreciate his life, in the same way you don’t have to personally know a moron to appreciate his idiocy.

  • Comment posted by 405_Lines, at 12:04 26 Sep 2012

    Disgusted to read #36 - how about showing some respect, eh?

    John's passing is very sad news indeed. I remember him at Carrow Road in the 70s, coming across as someone who was a genuine football man and, more importantly, always seemed to have time for people - players and fans alike, always smiling...

    My thoughts go out to family and friends at this sad time.

  • Comment posted by NF, at 11:49 26 Sep 2012

    Let me retell a funny John Bond story.

    Man City hammered Norwich & John Bond went to commiserate with his son Kevin (playing for Norwich). Bond jumped out of the Director's Box down towards the players tunnel, got caught on something and stacked it completely and went from view, to which the commentator said "...and John Bond's gone!"

    When asked later, Kevin said he probably fell over his wallet

  • Comment posted by U15437724, at 11:48 26 Sep 2012

    Re comment no. 36, I thought this thread was moderated.

    I'm not against free speech or controversial opinions, but come on, just this once, do we have to have comments that are just plain nasty?

  • Comment posted by U15437750, at 11:56 26 Sep 2012

    A footballing man of the old school, when loyalty really meant something. He was a loyal, reliable servant to West Ham (not my club incidentally, but I can appreciate his loyal service to "The Hammers"), who always gave 100% effort. There will not be many of the current bunch of professional footballers like him. R.I.P.

  • Comment posted by rs24, at 11:48 26 Sep 2012

    @36

    No doubt someone will say the same about you one day - except you're obviously not of the same class as John Bond so you won't even rate a mention anywhere.

  • Comment posted by RedHeadedQueen, at 16:50 26 Sep 2012

    172.AllanB

    Yes because football isn't all about the "top" teams and the "top" players-what lies beneath has more fans and, for the majority of football supporters in the UK, is of much more interest & relevance than infantile infatuation with the elite. Learn some humility-or are you one of those who would have us all spoon fed nonsense about Rooney, Chelsea & what Ronaldo is up to every day?

  • Comment posted by SirHaroldWilson, at 16:35 26 Sep 2012

    @171 lol, I remember that player, everyone called him 'Music' because they couldn't pronounce his full name. Yep, JB was a lovely fellah, I met him briefly when I was 11 (MCFC fan) along with Tommy Caton (another sadly no longer with us) and they were both great. It's a shame JB and Malcolm Allison never worked together, they could have been dynamite. RIP big fellah.

  • Comment posted by U15438021, at 16:22 26 Sep 2012

    Rip John you always made us laugh, and was such a lovely person love Maggie &. Joan xxxx

  • Comment posted by U14276335, at 15:21 26 Sep 2012

    To all those making unkind, nasty and unnecessary comments.

    One day your modern heroes will die. One day you will find younger people in 30-50 or 70 years time probably saying similar nasty stuff in what ever media it will be then.

    I hope you remember your nasty words then and the hurt you will have given. Mr Bond's family will have probably read this, you never know.

    Condolences to his family

  • Comment posted by trevmuttley, at 14:14 26 Sep 2012

    One of the best managers Norwich ever had. he changed so much at carrow road at the time, he gave us the kind of football we all enjoyed. His charisma could be felt all over Norwich and a true legend and a great manager.

  • Comment posted by U15437859, at 13:42 26 Sep 2012

    Early 70's i started watching football at Carrow Road. I believe watching John Bond's team from that early age truly made me a Norwich fan forever.

    RIP John Bond. Thanks for all the happy memories.

  • Comment posted by MJP, at 12:42 26 Sep 2012

    It's not just headline news on the BBC website. The fact that it's headline news on the club websites at Man City, Norwich, West Ham, Burnley, Bournemouth, Swansea means it is relevant to a lot of football fans. Journeyman? Maybe. But that only means there are more of us who remember him fondly and wish to pay our respects.

  • Comment posted by U14111142, at 12:10 26 Sep 2012

    I recall his infectious enthusiasm for the game. He came across as a thoroughly decent man.

    Condolences to his family.

  • Comment posted by MJP, at 12:08 26 Sep 2012

    Fond memories as a Man City fan. He came in at Maine Road following the fans' idol and he won us all over with his brand of football and his attitude. I'll never forget the 81 final - my first and only when real fans got tickets. Thanks for the memories John. Condolences and best wishes to the family. RIP.

  • Comment posted by U14603858, at 12:07 26 Sep 2012

    John Bond leading the team out against Spurs in the 1981 Cup Final is one of the best City memories I have. My first taste of a Cup Final and although we were undone in the replay by a bit of Argentinian magic that day will stay with me forever. Thanks for that memory John.

    R.I.P.

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