Everyone at West Ham United has been saddened by the passing of former centre-half Bill Green.
Green, who played 40 times in Claret and Blue between 1976-78, died following a short illness on Monday at the age of 66.
Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the defender joined nearby Hartlepool United as a teenager, spending four seasons in the first team before moving to Carlisle United in 1973.
Green’s first season at Brunton Park was outstanding as the Cumbrians won promotion to the First Division, following that by scoring Carlisle’s first-ever top-flight goal against Chelsea in August 1974.
West Ham spent £75,000 to bring Green to east London at the age of 25 in June 1976. The bearded defender debuted at Aston Villa two months later.
He totalled 40 appearances over two seasons at the Boleyn Ground, both of which saw West Ham struggle in the lower half of the First Division table, and scored his only goal in a 3-1 win over Chelsea in March 1978.
Unforunately, Green’s final appearance came in a 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool the following month which confirmed the Hammers’ relegation to the Second Division.
Green joined Third Division Peterborough United in summer 1978 before enjoying four productive seasons with Chesterfield and hanging up his boots after a short spell with Doncaster Rovers in 1983.
Eight years later, he embarked on a management career with Scunthorpe United and non-league Buxton, while he also worked as a scout for Wigan Athletic, Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County.
Green joined Southampton in 2011 and had spent the last six years as the Saints’ senior recruitment officer.
West Ham United would like to express the Club’s sincere condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.