Laurie Cunningham: Man United forward Profile & Stats
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Portrait of Laurie Cunningham

Laurie Cunningham

Position: forward

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PWDLFA

HAN P W D L F A Diff Win%
H 2 2 0 0 4 1 +3 100.00
A 3 0 1 2 1 6 -5 0.00
TOTALS 5 2 1 2 5 7 -2 40.00

Name: Laurence "Laurie" Paul Cunningham
Birthdate: 08-03-1956
Age: 69
Birthplace: St Mary's Archway, London, England
Height: 5' 8" (1.73m)
Weight: 10st 14lbs (69.85kg)
Years at Club: 1982-1983
Signing Info: Loaned From FC Real Madrid, 03/1983
Previous Clubs: Leyton Orient, West Bromwich Albion, FC Real Madrid
Debut: 19/04/1983 v Everton (A) 0-2 (League Division One)
Farewell: End of loan from Real Madrid CF, 05/1983
Passed Away: 15/07/1989

Biography

Laurie Cunningham was an exceptional English footballer who made history both on and off the pitch. Known for his lightning speed, silky dribbling, and flair as a winger, Cunningham was one of the most talented players of his generation. He broke barriers for black footballers in England and became the first English player to sign for Real Madrid. His footballing legacy, combined with his role as a trailblazer for racial equality in football, has made him an enduring figure in the sport's history.

Early Career at Leyton Orient and West Bromwich Albion
Cunningham began his career at Leyton Orient, making his debut in 1974. His impressive performances quickly caught the attention of West Bromwich Albion, where he moved in 1977. At West Brom, Cunningham formed part of a famous attacking trio with Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson, under the management of Ron Atkinson. The trio was not only known for their on-field brilliance but also for being pioneers as some of the first high-profile black players in English football.

Key Achievements at West Bromwich Albion:
Cunningham's pace, creativity, and fearless dribbling made him one of the most exciting players in the First Division. His performances helped West Brom achieve a third-place finish in the 1978-79 season, qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
Cunningham was the first black player to represent an England under-21 side, and he earned his full England senior cap in 1979, becoming one of the first black footballers to play for the England national team.
Move to Real Madrid (1979–1983)
In 1979, Cunningham made history by becoming the first British player to sign for Real Madrid for a then club-record fee of £950,000. At Madrid, Cunningham was an instant success, dazzling fans with his electric pace and flair. He was adored by the Madrid faithful for his technical brilliance and style of play.

La Liga Title (1979–80): Cunningham helped Real Madrid win the La Liga title in his first season. His impact was immediate, and he famously received a standing ovation from the Camp Nou crowd in a match against Barcelona—a rare show of respect from Madrid's biggest rivals. Copa del Rey Victory (1980): Cunningham also helped Real Madrid secure the Copa del Rey in 1980, adding another piece of silverware to his impressive debut season in Spain. Unfortunately, Cunningham's time at Real Madrid was disrupted by injuries, which limited his playing time in subsequent seasons.

Loan to Manchester United (1983)
In 1983, Cunningham returned to England on loan, signing for Manchester United under Ron Atkinson, who had previously managed him at West Bromwich Albion. Although his time at Old Trafford was brief, Cunningham made several appearances, contributing to United's campaign. However, injuries once again prevented him from making a lasting impact.

Later Career and Final Years
After his stint with Manchester United, Cunningham played for several clubs, including Marseille, Leicester City, and Rayo Vallecano, where he helped the team achieve promotion to La Liga. Despite flashes of his former brilliance, Cunningham's career was often hampered by injuries.

International Career with England
Cunningham was one of the first black players to represent England, earning 6 caps for the national team between 1977 and 1980. His role as a pioneer for black footballers in the national team remains a key part of his legacy, helping pave the way for future generations of black English players.

Playing Style: Electrifying, Flair-Filled, and Fearless
Cunningham was known for his blistering pace, exceptional dribbling, and ability to take on defenders with ease. His style of play was characterized by his flair and creativity, often leaving defenders trailing in his wake. Cunningham was a fearless winger who could deliver accurate crosses, score goals, and change the course of a match with his individual brilliance.

Legacy
Laurie Cunningham is remembered as not only an outstanding footballer but also a pioneer for black players in English and European football. His ability to overcome racial barriers and succeed at the highest levels of football, including with Real Madrid, is a testament to his talent and resilience. Tragically, Cunningham's life was cut short when he died in a car accident in 1989, but his influence on the game endures.

Summary
Laurie Cunningham was a trailblazing winger who played for Real Madrid, West Bromwich Albion, and Manchester United during the 1970s and 1980s. Known for his speed and skill, he became the first British player to sign for Real Madrid and was one of the first black footballers to represent England. Cunningham's career was marked by his groundbreaking role in football and his enduring legacy as a pioneer for racial equality in the sport.
 
League League Cup FA Cup Charity Shield European Cup Europa League Super Cup Cup Winners Cup Inter-cont Cup World Clubs Cup    
Season Goals Season Apps
No Season League Goals League Apps LC Goals LC Apps FAC Goals FAC Apps CS Goals CS Apps EC Goals EC Apps Europa Goals Europa Apps SC Goals SC Apps CWC Goals CWC Apps IC Goals IC Apps CWC Goals CWC Apps Season
Goals		 Season
Apps
1. 1982-1983 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5
TOTALS 1 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5

Detailed Match & Performance Charts

MUFC Player Goals MUFC Player Appearances MUFC Player Opponent Manager MUFC Player Club Manager
No Opponent Goals Appearances
1. Watford 1 1
No Opponent Appearances Goals
1. Everton 1 0
2. Watford 1 1
3. Norwich City 1 0
4. Arsenal 1 0
5. Swansea City 1 0
No Opponent Manager No
1. Kendall, Howard 1
2. Taylor, Graham 1
3. Brown, Ken 1
4. Neill, Terry 1
5. Toshack, John 1
No MUFC Managers Count
1. Atkinson, Ron 5
Stadiums Competition Opponents Opponent Nationality
No Stadium Count
1. Old Trafford 2
2. Carrow Road 1
3. Goodison Park 1
4. Highbury 1
No Competition Count
1. League Division One 5
No Opponent Count
1. Everton 1
2. Watford 1
3. Norwich City 1
4. Arsenal 1
5. Swansea City 1
No Opponent Nationality Count
1. England 4
2. Wales 1
Roy Keane own goal v Real Madrid Old Trafford 2000 Cup Finals
No Date Opponent Competition Own Goals
Player has never scored an own goal against the club.
No Date Opponent WDL F-A Competition
Player never featured in a Cup Final.
Penalties scored for Manchester United Manchester United Hat-Tricks
No Date Opponents Competition Penaltys
Player has never scored a penalty for the club.
No Date Opponent Competition Goals
Player has never scored a hat-trick or better during a game.
 
Red Cards  
No Date Opponent Competition
Player has never been sent off during a match.
 

All Matches played
No Date Comp Opponent WDL F-A HAN Goal!! Scorers Opponent scorers
1. 19-04-1983 Div 1 Everton L 0-2 A 0 Greame Sharp 67', Adrian Heath 69'
2. 23-04-1983 Div 1 Watford W 2-0 H 1 Laurie Cunningham 50', Ashley Grimes 62' (pen)
3. 30-04-1983 Div 1 Norwich City D 1-1 A 0 Norman Whiteside 49' Mark Barham 59'
4. 02-05-1983 Div 1 Arsenal L 0-3 A 0 David O'Leary 23', Brian Talbot 78', 86'
5. 07-05-1983 Div 1 Swansea City W 2-1 H 0 Bryan Robson 19', Frank Stapleton 72' Bob Latchford 89'
 

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