It would be the last club Cunningham played for. Laurie Cunningham; Biografia; Naixement (es) Laurence Paul Cunningham 8 mar 1956 Archway (Anglaterra) (en) Mort: 15 juliol 1989 (33 anys) Madrid: . "It's very humbling and I'm sure that his parents and all of his family are very proud," says Regis. Laurie Cunningham, (born March 8, 1956, London, Englanddied July 15, 1989, Madrid, Spain), professional football (soccer) player. Aftab Jafferjee QC, prosecuting, said Richards was raped and stabbed five times. In the next qualifier against Romania, he came off the bench but was unable to help England avoid a 21 defeat. Because obviously his connection was at West Bromwich Albion, one of the local teams that was in my area. "The diversion was doomed to failure, and not even the original 1982 investigations fell for that," the prosecutor added. BBC Breakfast star Charlie Stayt halts show to warn Lenny Henry 'you shouldn't say that', Charlie was hosting BBC Breakfast on Thursday - but warned Lenny: "You really shouldn't say that. To have that being echoed through Cyril, I felt that I almost personally knew Laurie. He was just 33 years of age. Died. The Perth family had been holidaying in the region over the WA . He scored the goal that clinched their promotion to the Primera Liga and it was shortly afterwards that Atkinson saw him for the final time. Regis, who had survived a similar car crash with Cunningham a few years earlier, was shaken to the core by his death. I can remember taking their things and running off with them, having fun and laughing with them. And Big Cyrille admits that he has made plenty of mistakes during his own career. But injuries soon impaired his ability and he went on loan to Manchester United (1982-83) and Sporting Gijon (1983-84) before transferring to Marseille in 1984. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. By outshining Kempes and Valencia that night, Cunningham convinced Los Blancos that he was the hero for the job. Liverpool won 1-0, Cunningham was predictably underwhelming, and his Real Madrid career was all but over. Cunningham achieved yet another first in 1983 when he was reunited with Atkinson at Old Trafford on loan, becoming the pioneer in a list of players to have played for both Manchester United and Real Madrid that now includes Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Michael Owen. Whilst a West Bromwich Albion player he played in a benefit match for Len Cantello, that saw a team of white players play against a team of black players. They said 'these black guys can play'.". Cunningham came on from the bench in the second half of the game to feature for little over half an hour. Laurie Cunningham: 1956 1989 33 years English footballer car Renault 5 GTI Madrid, Spain Car collided with barrier and overturned. "We only had one substitute then, which made a difference. Cunningham more than justified the 950,000 fee Madrid paid in the summer of 1979 by scoring twice on his debut (once more against Valencia) and helping them win a League and Cup Double, with that night in the Nou Camp a clear highlight. Cunningham was killed in a car crash in Madrid on the morning of 15 July 1989, at the age of 33. Laurie Cunningham liked to dance. Regis said he understands why players of today like Manchester Uniteds Wayne Rooney can appear to put their own careers before their clubs. [8] Despite this club success, Cunningham was overlooked by England manager Ron Greenwood for a place in the England squad for Euro 1980.[7]. "As for my other family members, no one would talk about my mum. Cunningham loved to dance, but his silky moves extended beyond the dance floor. [13], A play based on his life, Getting the Third Degree by Dougie Blaxland, was first performed in 2019. The writer's inquiries triggered a cold case police review that led officers to re-examine stored forensic evidence and reopen the unsolved case. (*Actual for and against are the goals scored. But it is also good to remember your history and know where you have come from. I ran upstairs and my sisters were in the bath. "That was the start of their demise. The youngest daughter, Rhodene, who was four at the time of the murders, survived because she had been staying with her grandmother that weekend. Dyce had not been suspected because he had been only a minor acquaintance of Cunningham and Richards. Laurence Paul Cunningham Date of birth: Mar 8, 1956 Place of birth: London Date of death: 15.07.1989 . Poor full-back Rafael Zuvira, along with the rest of the Bara backline, simply couldnt cope with the winger. Am I supposed to lock away the memories of all those good times because of that? "You got away with these offences for 28 years and, since your arrest last year, you have shown no remorse whatsoever. When he was called up to the England squad, his welcome present was a death threat a bullet in the post from one racist supporter. His dazzling performances at Leyton Orient and West Brom saw him become the first black player to represent England at under-21 level in 1977. Show Hide article text (OCR) Save to Ancestry. The day saw dozens of Laurie's family, friends and former team-mates join us as guests at the Matchroom Stadium with events throughout the day to celebrate the life of the special talent that was cut tragically short. Prior to this tie, a finally fit Cunningham had been summoned up for England duty again, but this would be the last time he made an England squad. ", Clubs Leyton Orient (1974-77), West Bromwich (1977-79), Real Madrid (1979-1984), Manchester United (1983, loan), Sporting Gijon (1983-84, loan), Marseilles (1984-85), Leicester City (1985-86), Rayo Vallecano (1986-87 and 1988-89), Charleroi (1987), Wimbledon (1988), Honours La Liga (1980), Copa del Rey (1980, 1981), FA Cup (1988), Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Born in London, Cunningham signed his first professional contract with Leyton Orient. But, for this England winger, the dream turned to tragedy. Palmars. And Cunningham showed how much he could play in a Uefa Cup tie against Valencia on 6 December 1978, a game that changed his life. This was the second time an English top-flight team simultaneously fielded three black players (the first being Clyde Best, Clive Charles and Ade Coker for West Ham United against Tottenham Hotspur in April 1972) and Atkinson collectively referred to Cunningham, Batson and Regis as "The Three Degrees" after the U.S. soul singing trio.[4]. Atkinson likens him to Barcelona's former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, while Regis says Cunningham reminds him of another more recent Real Madrid summer signing. The London-born Cunnigham rose to prominence playing under Ron Atkinson at West Bromwich Albion in . Regis still takes great pride in what they did together at West Brom, silencing the racist crowds that were commonplace in English football in the 1970s. Where Birmingham celebrities went to school - from Alison Hammond to Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Ozzy Osbourne, Cat Deeley - all schooled here, ITV Coronation Street star announces full-time return to soap - leaving fans delighted. "Their crime was to have seen their mother's attacker, and so their young lives had to be violently snuffed out," Jafferjee said. In a car accident. Cunningham arrived in Spain in 1979 as the most expensive signing in the club's history at 127 million pesetas. Long-term partner Nicky Brown, who met Cunningham as a teenager on the dancefloors of north London, confesses that she ended up leaving Spain to escape the "goldfish bowl" his life became afterwards. Trivia. In the 1981/82 season he only managed three further appearances, all of which came after Christmas. And although a paltry six England caps would suggest Cunningham did not entirely fulfil his own promise, he left a legacy more enduring than only a list of statistics and memories. Wright refers to Cunningham's "jaw-dropping" display in the 5-3 victory at Old Trafford when he ran United defender Stewart Houston ragged as his finest hour, although it was another scintillating performance in a Uefa Cup tie with Mario Kempes' Valencia in December 1978 that had caught the eye of Real Madrid. He left Barcelonas Colosseum to a standing ovation.. Back then, Spanish sides were restricted to only two foreign players. "He was saying how he was going to light up the Bernabeu next season and show Madrid what they had missed out on. Rejected by Arsenal, he began his professional career at Leyton Orient in 1974 and within five years he became the first Englishman to play for Real Madrid. That happened to me a couple of times during my early days at Coventry. 29 July 2001 - Enough Clean Sheets To Fill A Linen 28 July 2007 - Bara Breaks Hearts' Record, 27 July 2009 - The Great Striker Swap Of 2009, 26 July 2009 - A Fitting Farewell For Bobby Robson. His death in a road accident in . Two weeks later, he scored again on his second appearance at the Bernabu, this time in a 3-1 defeat of eternal rivals, Barcelona. As an agent these days talking to young black players, it can be hard to make them believe how bad it used to be for us, Regis said. Laurie Cunningham, pictured at Orient in 1975. He also tells how a night out with best pal Laurie Cunningham almost ended in tragedy when the wizard winger took the wheel after boozing. In all the years I had known Ron I had never heard him use that particular word. He was looking forward to his return to Spain's top flight when he had the car crash that killed him. Drunk woman fined after falling asleep in car at McDonald's with burger on chest, Police found Caroline Fahy drunk and asleep in her car at McDonald's, First picture of violent Selfridges shoplifter who strangled female guard, Nathan Williams who had admitted theft and strangulation, was jailed for 16 months, Houses shake as mysterious 'sonic boom' heard across the Midlands, Residents are calling the loud noise heard from miles around a 'sonic boom' while police have issued a statement, Spencer Matthews apologises as fans try to watch new Finding Michael documentary, Several subscribers to Disney Plus have complained after trying to watch the Made in Chelsea star's new documentary on the app, Secret plans for WhatsApp message mode which would affect all users, Tech sleuths have discovered plans for a new WhatsApp message mode, Primark says 'whoops' after shoppers spot major error on sweatshirt, Primark shared a statement after shoppers pointed out the embarrassing blunder on Instagram, I tried doing my big shop at a local farm with no rationing and left feeling annoyed, I nipped over to Beckett's Farm Shop in Wythall to see if I could get fresh veg with no rationing, Aston Villa receive Roberto Firmino transfer demand after huge Liverpool decision, BirminghamLive brings you the latest Aston Villa news as supporters send transfer demand after Roberto Firmino makes Liverpool decision, Birmingham City live team news vs Wigan Athletic: John Eustace set to name Blues XI, The latest Birmingham City news and views from BirminghamLive as Blues take on Wigan at the DW Stadium, Drug dealer who sent out flare messages sent back to jail after cops catch him with 18-inch machete, Sheraz Hussain, 27, returned to drug dealing after being released from prison, Birmingham pub of the year named by CAMRA, A young bar and bottle shop in Kings Heath has been named 'Pub of the Year', Dealer busted after gun, bullets and 26k worth of drugs found inside flat, Police discovered 26,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine at the address on Brades Road, Residents have compared the loud noise heard from miles around to a sonic boom, I tried Tesco and other supermarkets' chocolate digestives and one was close to McVitie's, My favourite one was less than half the price of the originals, Mum who spends 7.50 a week on food shop urges others to ditch certain 'stigma', Alison Preest says she cooks meals for her family for as little as 75p, Watch moment Mark Gordon leaves court after 'remains of baby found in plastic bag', A court today heard remains of a baby had been found in a plastic bag under some nappies in an allotment shed, Nightclub worker killed in smash was 'over the drink-drive limit', inquest told, Kelsey Stuttard, 31, was driving at 68mph in her Audi A3 when she collided with a bridge, The surprising Midlands petrol station with the cheapest fuel in and around Birmingham, Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Costco stores are all among the cheapest places to get fuel, Clarkson's Farm season 3 given 'rough' release date by Jeremy Clarkson, The second season of Clarkson's Farm has earned glowing reviews from fans and critics. Collections; . Having grown up winning dance tournaments throughout South Londons many discos, Laurie Cunningham was always ready to steal the limelight if the moment arose. Actually, Laurie Cunningham liked to perform. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. It would be here in the Midlands that Cunningham was catapulted to true stardom. Today, he is remembered as one of the finest players that England has ever . A horrendous ruptured knee ligament that was allegedly inflicted by a Madrid team-mate in training was the beginning of a downward spiral of luck that would eventually end in his death, although Regis, who now works as an agent for the company that manages Gareth Bale and Ashley Cole among others, disputes Del Bosque's view that he "lacked that competitive spirit required at Real". "On the way home at 2am Laurie, who was driving a Renault 5 GTI, momentarily fell asleep at the wheel. He moved to Charleroi in Belgium for the 198788 campaign, but was yet again struck down by injury, and in the new year was back in England on a short-term deal with Wimbledon, where he managed to help the Dons beat Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup Final. Cunninghams stay in Spain coincided with the Movida Madrilea, a counter-cultural movement that swept the capital in the aftermath of dictator General Francos death. Season Date Left Joined MV Fee ; 88/89: Jul 1 . Erik ten Hag ignored Louis van Gaal's desperate Man Utd plea - and has proved him wrong, Liverpool v Manchester United: Jurgen Klopp & Erik ten Hag call for end to 'tragedy chanting', Spirit makes 15-year-old Chloe Ricketts youngest signing in NWSL history, Newcastle being owned by a nation state: how is this accepted and normalised? It's 28 per cent funded, so let's see if Islington Faces readers can help, . Dyce tried to cover his tracks by daubing the National Front NF sign on walls and doors. His final season as a footballer was back in the Spanish capital, a second stint with Rayo. His wife, Ann, survived the crash. The late England player's brother was Richards' partner. He scored two goals on his debut it was once again Valencia which fell victim to another unstoppable performance and that season helped the club win La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Officials of Delhi Police yesterday arrested a 20-year . It was characterised by New Wave music, dancing, heavy drinking, drug use, freedom of expression, sex and a heck of a lot of neon. 14 July 1971 - The Only Englishman To Reach The 20 13 July 2006 - It's Not Exactly Right To Say He "S 12 July 1988 - An Award For Winning Awards. Laurie Cunningham. He had been the club's first English signing, which was one of many "firsts" throughout his fifteen-year professional career. The outburst shocked the sporting world but none more so than Regis who had had nothing but respect and affection for his former boss. FOOTBALL legend Cyrille Regis has opened his heart about his womanising past and the drunken car crash which nearly killed him. Lauries time at Real Madrid was bittersweet. Samantha had been stabbed eight times and Syretta was drowned. The autobiography tells how Regis endured years of horrendous racist abuse from the terraces, including monkey chants and being thrown bananas. He was the first black player in the England squad. When that happens and you are upside down, hearing the horrible screeching sound of metal against concrete and seeing the sparks you think there is going to be a massive impact. Laurence Paul Cunningham (8 March 1956 - 15 July 1989) was an English professional footballer. On 15 July 1989, 33-year old former Real Madrid winger Laurie Cunningham died in a car accident in Madrid. Girl, 3, Killed In Delhi Car Accident, Air Force Officer's Son Arrested. "There was a massive sea change among managers too, people like Graham Taylor, David Pleat and John Bond. On the screen were 22 men running around a pitch and kicking a ball. Joseph Cure: 1983 2015 31 years American actor and ice hockey player car Ennis, Montana: Slick conditions made for risky driving. Turner, who is also planning a feature film with James Corden already cast as Ron Atkinson, adds: "A theme that runs through the whole documentary was that Laurie was a person who needed to be nurtured. Photograph: Metropolitan Police/PA. Laurence Paul Cunningham. At the age of just 33, a legends career and life was cut short far too soon. Darren Moore vividly recalls sitting at home as an eight-year-old, staring at the television in wide-eyed amazement. "He had his style, his grace and his pace. It was only the tragic death of his closest friend Cunningham in a car crash in July 1989 that finally made Regis look at changing his life. He left Zuvira for dead again, steaming past the full-back before putting in a perfect cross with the outside of his right boot, which was finished off by striker Santillana. He was 33. Cunningham was capped 12 times by England but his life was tragically cut short in 1989, aged 33, in a car accident in Madrid. ", BBC Beyond Paradise star Jamie Bamber is married to Eastenders actress. "For that 1978-79 season, especially around the time when we beat Valencia in the Uefa Cup, I've never worked with a better player. Its where he lived when he was first spotted by a Leyton Orient scout, before making his professional footballing debut with the team in 1974. But what he did on the pitch, and the changes he helped bring about off it, left a lasting impact on the English game. "These were offences of unspeakable brutality and utmost gravity," he said. ", Cunningham is remembered as one of West Brom's greatest players, The 1981 European Cup final was one of Cunningham's career highlights, Cunningham's style was in contrast to Wimbledon's approach, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. At the time, I remember it made me get into football for the first time because Cyril Regis, Brendon Batson and then Laurie Cunningham were playing, added Moore, who is one of the few Black managers currently working in English football. They all took care of him but in Madrid they tried to police him instead and perhaps that wasn't the best way to handle him. David Beckham was a boy when Laurie Cunningham made his name at Real Madrid. Unsurprisingly, Cunningham was a shadow of his former self and, despite brief glimpses of the ability he once possessed, Real Madrid eventually lost 1-0. Racism was rife on the terraces in English football during the 1970s, with players regularly subjected to racist chants and banana throwing from some fans. The following season, Cunningham suffered a broken toe, a knee injury and several unsuccessful surgeries, but somehow still managed to start against Liverpool in the 1981 European Cup final. Back with Real Madrid, his scored goals in the early rounds of the European Cup, but then he succumbed to injury, and required an operation on a broken toe. On February 10, 1980, something unprecedented happened. But it was his 100,000 move to West Bromwich Albion in 1977 and subsequent England Under-21 debut that catapulted Cunningham into the national spotlight. But tragedy struck when Cunningham was killed in a car accident in Madrid aged just 33 in July 1989. 2. "There were lots of stereotypes then about black players - that we couldn't handle the cold weather, that we were all flair and didn't have the right temperament - and when you've been brought up in London in that time, as we were, you certainly know you're different. Playing alongside two other black players in the 1978-79 season, Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson, Cunningham helped West Brom reach the quarterfinals of the UEFA Cup. A Warner Bros. Cunninghams career with Los Blancos got off to a blast. He had been the club's first English signing, which was one of many "firsts" throughout his fifteen-year professional career. He was duly sent out on loan, first of all to Manchester United and then to Sporting Gijn, before being permanently sold to Marseille for the 1984/85 campaign. A life which was more than football. West Bromwich Albion became one of the most attractive and exciting English sides in the late 1970s and Cunningham soon attracted attention. The art and craft of creating a writing habit. Friday would have been Cunningham's 57th birthday had his life not been tragically cut short in a car crash in Spain in July 1989. Everything went well - that performance captured whoever was looking for Real Madrid and sold him to the club.". A trailblazer, on and off the pitch. Cunningham's long-time . MON 15.07.2019. Negotiations took place at Atkinson's house, in an endearingly amateurish sounding set-up a million miles away from the wheeling and dealing world of galactico transfers of the modern era. That's how we did it. Sentencing Dyce at the Old Bailey, Judge Anthony Morris handed down three life sentences and told him it would constitute a whole life term. Nonetheless, Cunningham came on as a substitute for Wimbledon in the famous 1-0 victory over Liverpool in 1988 before heading back to Spain for one final tragic season. Left Winger Current club: ---Further information. He had been the club's first English signing, which was one of many "firsts" throughout his fifteen-year professional career. One or other of the young girls Samantha, nine and Syretta, seven is thought to have been woken by the noise. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Laurie Cunningham, the first man to play for both Manchester United and Real Madrid, had an incredible impact in Spain. "He was so full of flair and ended up playing for the original long-ball side - it was a far cry from playing for Real Madrid against Barcelona to be playing at Plough Lane.". The next second wed hit a barrier and rolled over two or three times before skidding along on the roof. For all parties, things would never be the same. In 1977 Cunningham joined West Bromwich Albion as a forward/striker. Nikki Hare-Brown's voice cracks a little as she considers what Laurie Cunningham might be doing now, had his life not been cut tragically short at the age of 33. Find Laurie Cunningham stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. I was stuck in a vortex of work hard, play hard, partying and girls, he said. Cunningham va morir en un accident de trnsit a Madrid el mat del 15 de juliol de 1989, a l'edat de 33 anys. "We didn't put any restrictions on Laurie - I just told him to get the ball at his feet and go and do damage with it. The next season, he helped Real reach the European Cup Final, where they lost 1-0. He later earned 6 caps for the full national team between 1979 and 1980, becoming one of the first ever black England internationals. Cunningham signed with Wimbledon in 1988, where, as a member of the "Crazy Gang", he won the FA Cup in 1988 for the final trophy of his career. If we'd had a few, he could have started and if it had gone wrong, we could have put someone else on.". Cunningham had signed a schoolboy contract with Arsenal in 1970, but was released in 1972 as his style of play was deemed incompatible with the Gunners give and go tactics. Select from premium Laurie Cunningham of the highest quality. Was there ever such a graceful player, even now? Eventually a fee of 950,000 was agreed and, aged 22, Cunningham left the Hawthorns for Madrid. Cunningham has also been honoured with an English Heritage blue plaque at his childhood home, statues at Orient and Albion, an ITV documentary, First Among Equals (2013) and a play by Dougie Blaxland, Getting the Third Degree . Did you ever see him play? He scored twice in his league debut against Valencia and also played well in both league matches against Barcelona as Real won La Liga and the Copa del Rey that season. Before joining Rhetoriq, Laurie spent eight years developing thought leadership . Cunningham dying in a car crash there at the age of 33, his footballing career long since in decline through a mixture of injury and a . "For two years it was fantastic for him and he became very famous. We have estimated Laurie Cunningham's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets. They have got everything they need, medically, psychologically and socially to help them through anything they come across. In a way that is a good thing of course, because it shows how far we have come. Laurie's a writer and editor with a passion for short sentences, telling details, and an active voice. He is candid about how his eye for the ladies poisoned his first marriage to wife Beverley, around the time he was helping Coventry City win the FA Cup in 1987. "Laurie was like Cristiano Ronaldo in the way he used to take people on," he commented. He and team-mates Cunningham and Brendon Batson were infamously dubbed The Three Degrees by their controversial manager Ron Atkinson. Bankruptcy & Debt Lawyers Business Lawyers Criminal Defense Lawyers DUI & DWI Lawyers Estate Planning Lawyers Car Accident Lawyers Divorce & Separation Lawyers Intellectual Property Lawyers Speeding . He was the first black player in the England squad. It is probably the most telling endorsement of Cunninghams ability to entertain a crowd with his immense talent. I think that's part of the romance of the story.". We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. For the entire match, Cunningham inspired his side with a display of skill and speed. Something went wrong, please try again later. ", Tony Dyce raped and killed Norma Richards, then stabbed and drowned two of her daughters, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, A recent photograph of Tony Dyce, who was tracked down thanks to the efforts of a journalist researching a biography of the footballer Laurie Cunningham. He died in Madrid at 33 years of age after a car accident on the La Coruna motorway. A new documentary tells his trail-blazing story, writes Ed Aarons, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. "I have a lot to say thank you to him for.". They were drowned and stabbed to prevent them from identifying the intruder. He was 33. Albion featured two other players of African descent, Brendan Batson and Cyrille Regis, and the three of them were known as the "Three Degrees." The presence of three black players on one . The club announced that Cunningham would feature in a mural of the former players to be displayed at The Hawthorns. "After the funeral, I went to live with my dad's parents. July 15, 1989 in Madrid, Spain (car accident) Birth Name: Laurance Paul Cunningham: Nickname: Laurie : Mini Bio (1) Laurie Cunningham was born on March 8, 1956 in London, England. In fact, 40 years later it has not happened again, the article read. "That was the game that everyone remembers," said Regis. I am satisfied the seriousness of these offences is exceptionally high and you should never be released.". I played for him, drank with him, had laughs and great times with him. Cunningham had signed a schoolboy contract with Arsenal in 1970, but was released in 1972 as . Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), The story of the electric but tragic Laurie Cunningham at Real Madrid, Brighton and Crystal Palace: the rise of a rivalry separated by 39 miles, The madness of Liverpools first foray into European competition, The tale of Queens Park: the early innovators who became last of the amateurs, Bobby Robson, Ipswich Town and a brutal quest for the 1981 treble, The Harriers of Norway: welcome to the most unlikely Kidderminster supporters club. Laurie Cunningham: A Brief History Of. appreciated. His wide appeal still meant the likes of Manchester United and Marseille believed he was worth signing, though he was never able to replicate his performances for West Brom. Laurie Cunningham son of Rosalee Cunningham and Leon McCutchen was born March 8, 1960 in Hemingway, SC. Laurie Cunningham's birthday and biography. On his Primera Divisin debut at the Bernabu, he once again put Valencia to the sword. Dyce raped her and stabbed her to death. Therefore, when John Metgod signed in July 1982, there was no way back into the team for Laurie. I knew they weren't coming back. Laurence Paul Cunningham (8 March 1956 - 15 July 1989) was an England international footballer. On the morning of July 15, 1989, Cunningham was involved in a fatal car accident at the age of just 33. About 10 years ago one of the more influential books I read was The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp, a choreographer who has produced more than 130 shows and collaborated with the likes of Mikhail Baryshnikov. The scarcity of internet footage of Cunningham means younger fans wondering just how good he was have to rely on comparisons from those who knew him. Laurie Cunningham as a boy (date unknown). players, in a poll organised as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations.