Friday, March 29, 2024

The curious and ultimately tragic case of Laurie Cunningham

Laurie Cunningham’s name may not ring a bell but it should do. He was the first black footballer to wear an England shirt, the first black player to represent his country in a competitive international and the first Englishman to play for Real Madrid.

 

 

The son of a Jamaican racehorse jockey, Cunningham’s career began at Leyton Orient where he made a name for himself as an electric left-winger. Small, strong and with bags of pace, he could beat a man with ease and was a natural goalscorer. 

 

 

Ironically it was Ron Atkinson who gave him his big break. During a time when monkey chanting and banana throwing were part and parcel of the abuse black players suffered, Big Ron signed Cunningham, Cyrill Regis and Brendan Bastin for West Brom. A trio the 'not-a-racist' manager called The Three Degrees.

 

 

At West Brom Cunningham flourished in a young and ambitious side. Atkinson’s team not only challenged the ingrained racism of English football but finished second in the First Division in 1978-79 and reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.

 

 

It was this form that earned Cunningham recognition at international level and caught the eye of Real Madrid, who paid £1m for his signature in 1979.  

 

 

During his first season in Spain, Madrid won La Liga and the Copa Del Rey, with Cunningham bagging 11 goals and winning the adulation of the Bernabau’s less-than-open-minded fans. 

 

 

Although dogged by injury in his second season, it was another decent campaign as the club reached the final of the European Cup, losing 1-0 to Liverpool at the Parc des Prince in Paris. 

 

 

Unfortunately chronic knee and back problems restricted Cunningham’s career at Real from there on. The effect of these problems was to rob the winger of the pace that had been so fundamental to his game, and he struggled to regain his place.  

 

 

In 1983 he was offered a lifeline by Big Ron, now manager of Manchester United, who, in the days before a transfer window and cup eligibility, flew to Madrid to loan the winger for the Milk Cup final. Cunningham stayed at Old Trafford for six games, during which time he suffered another cup final defeat at the hands of Liverpool and failed to do enough to earn a permanent deal.

 

 

So began a series of short stays at a variety of clubs across Europe. Between 1983 and 1988 he turned out for Sporting Gijon, Olympique Marseilles, Leicester City, Rayo Vallenano, Charelroi and then Wimbledon - where he made a brief substitute appearance in the FA Cup final. This time emerging on the winning side against Liverpool.  

 

 

Despite 2 goals in 6 games for the Dons, he was moved on again, returning to Spain for a second spell with second division side Rayo Vallenano.

 

 

His season there was a success with the crowning glory coming as he scored the goal on the final day of the season that sealed promotion to the top tier of Spanish football.

 

 

On his way home from the teams’ celebrations in the early hours of 15 July 1989, Cunningham lost control of his car on a motorway in the outskirts of Madrid, slamming into the central reservation at high speed. Aged just 33, he suffered what were to be fatal injuries.

 

 

Laurie Cunningham’s impact on the game should not be underestimated. He had a wider and more varied career than most contemporary players manage, during a time of widespread discrimination and institutional racism. He was a pioneer for black footballers whose name should be better remembered.

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