Cunningham was a relative unknown when he signed for West Brom from Leyton Orient in a player swap deal back in 1977, but only two years later he was playing in the Bernabeu for the mighty Real Madrid.

The talented wide man made his name as part of the West Brom trio who were labelled the ‘Three Degrees’. Along with Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson, Laurie helped West Brom take the first division and Europe by storm.

Cunningham was thrown straight into the Baggies first team, and repaid the mangers faith by setting up both goals in a 2-0 win on his debut. Cunningham’s move to Spain was mainly due to a magical display in the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup against Valencia. Six months later Laurie moved from the midlands when Real Madrid paid £995,000 for his services.

He had the perfect start to his Spanish adventure with a goal on his debt, and he also played a part in Real’s league and cup double. He never quite recaptured the form he had shown at West Brom, and due to a mixture of injuries and tactical differences he left Madrid in 1983.

This signalled the start of a journey that saw Cunningham experience a number of short playing spells for Marseille, Manchester United, Sporting Gijon, Leicester City, Real Betis, Charleroi, Wimbledon and Rayo Vallecano. His main achievement throughout this period had to be the FA Cup winners medal at Wimbledon in 1988, after coming on as a second half substitute.

Unfortunately, this story has a sad ending because on July 15th 1989 Cunningham was killed in a car crash just outside of Madrid. Ironically, his death came just as he had won promotion back to the Spanish top flight with his last club Rayo Vallecano.

A tragic end for a gifted midfielder who should be remembered as the first black player to represent England at any level, when he was selected for the under 21’s in 1977. Ron Atkinson confirmed Cunningham’s status as the daddy when he described him as being the finest British player since George Best. /td>