Laurie Cunningham- Remembering A Legend

"He changed the face of British football. He changed the face of black football. He inspired a second and third generation of players in a time when you had to fight a lot of racism." That was how Laurie Cunningham's former West Brom team mate, Cyrille Regis, described his late friend back in 2013. Before Regis himself passed in 2018. Cunningham, who left the Midlands for Madrid in 1979, became Real Madrid's first English player. It was clear to many that he was a man driving change. It is only right, to dedicate today's article to Cunningham on the 32nd anniversary of his passing. In the wake of England's dismissal from the Euros and the racist abuse seen against young black stars: Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford; it is apt to remember Cunningham, a trailblazer in his own right.

Source: LCFC.com

The Making of Laurie

Born in 1956, Cunningham was raised in Archway, London. At the age of 18, he represented Leyton Orient as a left-winger who had all the talent to meet the demands of the game and stand out for his ability alone. After three seasons with the Orient -where he scored 15 goals in 75 appearances- it was time for Cunningham to test himself in the English First Division, with West Bromwich Albion. Following a strong start to his time with The Baggies, Cunningham had his targets set on representing the national team: “The First Division suits me fine. I was surprised how easy things were. The pace wasn’t as quick as I imagined and there were few tackles I expected it to be a lot more physical, but it wasn’t. I believe I can play for England now. I know I have to work hard, but if I do nothing can stop me.”- Nothing would.

Source: blackhistorymonth.org.uk

Whilst playing at the Hawthorns, Cunningham formed a formidable attacking trio with the aforementioned, Cyrille Regis, and Brendon Batson (above). Together, these three black British players set the First Division alight with entertaining displays. Here, with the support of Regis and Batson, Cunningham was able to improve as a player and catch the attention of Former England Manager, Ron Greenwood, to see him get his first senior international cap in a game against Wales in 1979. A monumental achievement that saw Cunningham achieve his dream set out prior to his move to West Brom. More than this, it attracted attention from a whole host of clubs, especially in Spain. Months after making his debut for England, Cunningham made the move to Real Madrid for 110 million pesetas; around £950,000 in today's value. A lot of pressure was placed on Laurie, the first black player to represent Los Blancos.

Source: birminghammail.co.uk

From the Midlands to Madrid

Those high-up in Real Madrid's boardroom at the time of his signing singled out Laurie Cunningham's performance for West Brom in a 1978 UEFA cup tie against Valencia as the main reason for his transfer. This game saw Cunningham trouble the Valencian defence for the entire game. As the 1979/80 season got underway, Cunningham lined-up for his debut against Valencia. Here, he carried on from where he left off by scoring two as Real won 3-1. This was the start of a very successful first season in Spain, as he helped the team win the double of La Liga and the Copa del Rey. His stand out performance came in February, 1980, at the Camp Nou, with Real winning 2-0. Here, the Catalan giants succumbed to Cunningham's trickery and pace, leading to the rival fans giving him a standing ovation. Diario AS reflected on the game last year, 40 years on, “On February 10, 1980, something unprecedented happened. In fact, 40 years later it has not happened again... The privileged one, since it has never happened again with any other Real Madrid player, was Cunningham. He left Barcelona’s Colosseum to a standing ovation". His performances earned him the nickname "Perla Negra", The Black Pearl, from the Madrid fans.

Source: edition.cnn.com

Despite Cunningham's glistening debut season, he missed out on the England Euro 1980 squad. In the season that followed at Real Madrid, he suffered lengthy injuries, before being rushed back for the European Cup Final against Liverpool in 1981 in Paris. Still injured, Cunningham failed to leave his mark on the game and the team lost 1-0. In the 1981/82 season he was still struggling to find the fitness and form of his first season, appearing eight times in the season that saw Cunningham win his second Copa del Rey. Unfortunately for Cunningham, 1982 saw family tragedy occur back in the UK, as his sister-in-law and two nieces were murdered at their north-east London home. The horrific events saw Laurie suffer from depression and he decided best to return to England, where he spent the 1982/83 season on loan with Manchester United- a move brought about by his former West Brom coach, Ron Atkinson. Cunningham was there to help his grieving brother, Keith, as football rightly became a second priority. Justice for Norma Richards and her two daughters was only achieved in 2010, 28 years after the crime was committed. Meaning that Cunningham would never see justice for his family in his lifetime.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

On the move

Following a quiet season for Manchester United, Cunningham was loaned out again, this time back in Spain with Sporting Gijón. He racked up 30 games whilst representing the Asturian club and moved to Marseille for the 1984/85 season, as his time at Real Madrid came to it's permanent end. From here, he featured for Leicester City and Rayo Vallecano, before moving to Wimbledon and forming part of their 'Crazy Gang' 1988 FA Cup winners side with the likes of John Fashanu and Vinnie Jones. After this, his last club-achievement, he moved to Belgium for a season, before returning to Rayo Vallecano, a team in the Segunda División ahead of the 1988/89 season. Here, Cunningham and his partner Sylvia Sendin-Soria had a child, Sergio Cunningham in 1988. At the end of the season, Cunningham scored Rayo's promotion-winning goal as the team looked ahead to life back in La Liga.

Sadly, in the summer of 1988, Cunningham was killed in a car crash in Madrid, aged only 33. Survived by Sylvia and Sergio, he has been remembered for his contribution to the sport, especially his work in driving social change and inspiring generations of black footballers looking to achieve greatness, not only for their clubs but for the national team also. After seeing such a diverse side that gave English fans a summer of such excitement, it is right to say that without the efforts of footballers like Cunningham, that the representation of young black athletes would not be there. Now, society is tasked with respecting young black athletes now and forever.

Source: thetimes.co.uk

Cyrille Regis reflected on the passing of his dear friend: "It rocked my world. We had a life in parallel: football, riches, big houses, cars and fame, everything that says to the world you're successful. He left it all behind. It didn't make sense. Why did I put value on these things... I hope I see him in heaven." May they both rest easy.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Remontada hopes that you enjoyed the brief story of Laurie Cunningham. There is also a great documentary available with Daily Motion: First Among Equals- The Laurie Cunningham Story