Tributes paid to late former Manchester City manager John Bond

Bond pictured during his West Ham playing days in 1957 (Getty Images)

The former Manchester City and Norwich manager John Bond has died at the age of 79. Bond was the last man to lead City to the FA Cup final before they won the competition last season, losing 3-2 to Tottenham Hotspur in a famous replay in 1981.

He was also an FA Cup winner as a player with West Ham (pictured), for whom he made more than 400 appearances as a right-back. He began his managerial career at Bournemouth and led them to promotion from the old Fourth Division in his first season in charge. He also managed Norwich, Burnley, Swansea, Birmingham and Shrewsbury, and led Norwich to the 1975 League Cup final, which they lost 1-0 to Aston Villa.

Last night Norwich held a minute's silence in Bond's memory at Carrow Road before the Capital One Cup tie against Doncaster Rovers. A statement by the club said: "During his tenure he brought players such as World Cup-winner Martin Peters to Norwich City, which helped trigger an exciting brand of attacking football at Carrow Road."

Former City player Mike Summerbee said: "I knew John from when I was 16 years old. I played for Swindon against him when he was at West Ham. We had some wonderful times off the field. He was such a lovely man and it's a very sad day. John was a football man, he knew the game inside out."

Howard Wilkinson, chairman of the League Managers' Association, added. "It is an extremely sad day for all his family, who have lost one of the few remaining people who spent their lives working mostly in the old Football League," he said. "John was a real character with a great sense of humour and presence. He will be sadly missed."

FACTFILE

Born 17 December 1932, Essex.

1950 Signed for West Ham, for whom he played 444 times. 1958 Won promotion to First Division. 1964 Lifted FA Cup, beating Preston. 1966-69 Joined Torquay United. 1970 Handed first managerial role, taking over at Bournemouth. 1975 Leads Norwich to League Cup final, defeated by Aston Villa. 1981 Takes Manchester City to FA Cup final, losing to Tottenham. 1987 Fails to stop Birmingham getting relegated 1999 Leaves Witton, his final job.