Laurie Cunningham on ITV

[Outfox the Fox]

Amazing documentary on ITV last night on Laurie Cunningham. Called First Among Equals, in the Black Lives Matter series. 

I'd forgotten how many games he played for us (15) in the 84/85 season under Milne. The season after we lost Lineker. Mark Bright remembers Cunningham coming to Filbert Street. . Badly affected by injuries, cos of all the tackles he had to endure. The interview with Gary Newbon in Spain is revealing, when he described old injuries being targeted by opponents to knacker him - because he was so good - and black! 

The clips show he perhaps was the most skillful English player ever. 

It can seen on catchup on ITV Hub. 

Edited 27 October 2020 by Outfox the Fox

[Mister Singh]

Will definitely check this out.

[The Fox Covert]

That was a bugger to find!

Before anyone else complains here is the link:

https://www.itv.com/hub/first-among-equals-the-laurie-cunningham-story/2a2176a0001

You have to sign in to ITV hub first. 

I remember him well. That 1980s team was a bit lightweight and after the sale of Lineker and Smith without adequate replacements the inevitable happened and a long fallow period in the second tier followed.

Bookmarked and look forward to watching later.

[stripeyfox]

Good shout. Watching this now. 

What a player.

 

 

[bald reynard]

4 hours ago, The Fox Covert said:

That was a bugger to find!

Before anyone else complains here is the link:

https://www.itv.com/hub/first-among-equals-the-laurie-cunningham-story/2a2176a0001

You have to sign in to ITV hub first. 

I remember him well. That 1980s team was a bit lightweight and after the sale of Lineker and Smith without adequate replacements the inevitable happened and a long fallow period in the second tier followed.

Bookmarked and look forward to watching later.

I watched it last night.  Everyone is right, he was an amazing player, probably the most skillful winger England has produced.  The clips of his ball control, pace and eye for passes (and goals) show the talent.  Such a shame his career went awry with injuries.  Obviously his time at West Brom was his best (though a later loan at Old Trafford proved he still had it).  Although he did well at Real Madrid at first, the move to Spain became his eventual downfall - and as the programme showed, he became a target for the thugs who wanted to kick him out of football. 

 

By the time he came on loan from Marseille to us, it was too late to see the best of him, but he still made a significant contribution to our campaign to stay in Division 1 in 1985/6. I particularly remember a wonderful display in our final game that season.  Playing on the right wing, he tore the Newcastle defence apart, set up a goal for Ally Mauchlen, was taken down to get a penalty (which Ian Banks converted) and his overall contribution was a major factor in getting the 2-0 win, which took us out of the relegation zone.  That was his last game before going back to Spain and Vallecano.  

 

Although only 15 appearances, I believe he did enough in that time to warrant becoming a CIty Legend.  However, unlike players such as David Speedie, Les Ferdinand, Mancini and Cambiasso, who had a similar impact in a short time with us, so many don't remember his time at Filbert Street - though I think most recall his undoubted abilities shown at other clubs and for England.

 

Thanks for the link FC, this was a cracking programme, I really would recommend City fans seeing it.

Edited 27 October 2020 by bald reynard

[SpacedX]

2 hours ago, bald reynard said:

I watched it last night.  Everyone is right, he was an amazing player, probably the most skillful winger England has produced.  The clips of his ball control, pace and eye for passes (and goals) show the talent.  Such a shame his career went awry with injuries.  Obviously his time at West Brom was his best (though a later loan at Old Trafford proved he still had it).  Although he did well at Real Madrid at first, the move to Spain became his eventual downfall - and as the programme showed, he became a target for the thugs who wanted to kick him out of football. 

 

By the time he came on loan from Marseille to us, it was too late to see the best of him, but he still made a significant contribution to our campaign to stay in Division 1 in 1985/6. I particularly remember a wonderful display in our final game that season.  Playing on the right wing, he tore the Newcastle defence apart, set up a goal for Ally Mauchlen, was taken down to get a penalty (which Ian Banks converted) and his overall contribution was a major factor in getting the 2-0 win, which took us out of the relegation zone.  That was his last game before going back to Spain and Vallecano.  

 

Although only 15 appearances, I believe he did enough in that time to warrant becoming a CIty Legend.  However, unlike players such as David Speedie, Les Ferdinand, Mancini and Cambiasso, who had a similar impact in a short time with us, so many don't remember his time at Filbert Street - though I think most recall his undoubted abilities shown at other clubs and for England.

 

Thanks for the link FC, this was a cracking programme, I really would recommend City fans seeing it.

I remember the excitement and anticipation that accompanied his arrival, much like Osman during the same period. The reception that he received during his brief appearances at Filbert Street was overwhelming and despite the loan period being dogged by injury, the flashes of brilliance were there and that formidable game intelligence still in evidence. Pleased to say that I had the privilege to witness such a talented player don a city shirt. 

[Guest bss9401]

His performances against Man U in the 3-0 home win (debut) and how he almost single handedly nicked us a 2-1 home win against cov are the stand out memories for me.

As a result I recall Cunningham's short stay with us very warmly. Even at 50% fitness Cunningham's class was obvious and he could change a game immediately. 

[jayfox26]

I was only born in 1986 so I had never really heard of him until I came across this thread. So sad to see he died aged just 33 in a car crash. Shame also that he only made 6 appearances for England. 

[Vlad the Fox]

I remember his first game for us, and his first contribution, received the ball moved it and glided past a couple of players as if they weren’t there before laying it off. It gave me a real rush of excitement to see such quality in a Leicester shirt.

 

Also patted his sweaty back running on the pitch after the final game of the season. 
 

Such a shame that the injuries had taken their toll.

[SpacedX]

4 minutes ago, Vlad the Fox said:

I remember his first game for us, and his first contribution, received the ball moved it and glided past a couple of players as if they weren’t there before laying it off. It gave me a real rush of excitement to see such quality in a Leicester shirt.

 

The 3-0 victory against Man United at home as I recall. Funnily enough I was just mentioning that in the "Remembering wins at the Big 6" thread, even though it was at home! 

[Vlad the Fox]

13 minutes ago, Line-X said:

The 3-0 victory against Man United at home as I recall. Funnily enough I was just mentioning that in the "Remembering wins at the Big 6" thread, even though it was at home! 

3-0 up after 20 minutes and I think at the time man u were top by about 10 points, think we started the rot that eventually saw Atkinson sacked which led to ferguson coming in. After a week of hearing how many they were going to stuff us by Monday morning back at school was fantastic. 

Edited 27 October 2020 by Vlad the Fox

[Vardinio'sCat]

 

Saw it a while back, a very moving piece of football history, and still relevant to the game today.

 

WBA were an absolute sensation in that peak period, and they challenged some of the stereotypes that we still hear today. It's a tragic story in some ways, but Laurie was an icon, and that is a triumph in itself.