On this day in 1989, Laurie Cunningham was tragically killed in a car accident in Madrid, aged 33. Known as the "Black Flash", he was one of the first top black footballers to make his mark in England and then to be the first "black" player to represent Real Madrid. He was the first black player to represent England, at any level. scoring on his debut for the Under 21 team in 1977. Leyton Orient legend Laurie Cunningham is once more gracing the London borough of Leyton, following the unveiling today of a bronze of the forward, just a corner-kick away from the club’s Matchroom Stadium. Cunningham rose to prominence in the 1970s, at a time when racism was prevalent in the game. He made his debut for Orient in 1974, paving the way for black sportsmen and women across the country.
| Full name | Laurence Paul Cunningham | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 8 March 1956 | ||
| Place of birth | Archway, London, England | ||
| Date of death | 15 July 1989 (aged 33) | ||
| Place of death | Madrid, Spain | ||
| Position(s) | Left winger | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1974–1977 | Leyton Orient | 75 | (15) |
| 1977–1979 | West Bromwich Albion | 86 | (21) |
| 1979–1984 | Real Madrid | 44 | (13) |
| 1983 | → Manchester United (loan) | 5 | (1) |
| 1983–1984 | → Sporting Gijón (loan) | 30 | (3) |
| 1984–1985 | Marseille | 30 | (8) |
| 1985–1986 | Leicester City | 15 | (0) |
| 1986–1987 | Rayo Vallecano | 37 | (1) |
| 1987 | Charleroi | 1 | (0) |
| 1988 | Wimbledon | 6 | (1) |
| 1988–1989 | Rayo Vallecano | 19 | (1) |
| Total | 348 | (67) | |
| International career | |||
| 1977–1978 | England U21 | 6 | (2) |
| 1978 | England B | 1 | (0) |
| 1979–1980 | England | 6 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
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