Smudge Posted 9 September 2007 Share Posted 9 September 2007 Remembered by Fergie; as do I remember him playing at Filbert St. Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo V Posted 9 September 2007 Share Posted 9 September 2007 I knew/know little about him but as a City fan to an ex-player, RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staf Posted 9 September 2007 Share Posted 9 September 2007 RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filbertboy Posted 9 September 2007 Share Posted 9 September 2007 RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueoveru Posted 9 September 2007 Share Posted 9 September 2007 Remember him very well came at the same time as Andy Graver, stylish right back in a average Leicester side sprinkled with a few notable individuals notably Rowley, Hogg, Jack Froggatt,Gillies. R.I.P. Age catching up with me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultra Posted 10 September 2007 Share Posted 10 September 2007 Fergie tribute to 1958 heroSunday, September 09, 2007 By Malcolm Brodie Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has paid a magnificent tribute to Willie Cunningham, one of Northern Ireland's 1958 World Cup heroes who has died in Dunfermline. He was 77. Fergie said: "He helped shaped my destiny as a manager and I am eternally grateful to him." Cunningham signed Ferguson as a player for Falkirk and when he retired as the St Mirren manager in 1974, he recommended Fergie as his successor. Born in Mallusk but taken by his parents to Paisley as a youngster, Cunningham, a full-back with St Mirren and Leicester City, was shrewdly switched by legendary Northern Ireland manager Peter Doherty before the World Cup finals in Sweden as a replacement for Jackie Blanchflower, seriously injured in the Manchester United air crash which prematurely ended his career. Cunningham fitted perfectly into the role, playing a major part in the small squad which astonishingly reached the quarter-finals, losing eventually to France. Leicester paid St Mirren £4,750 for him in 1954 but after a turbulent few seasons he moved back and joined Dunfermline Athletic, then managed by Jock Stein, winning a Scottish Cup medal in 1961 when they defeated Celtic 2-0 after a replay. Stein moved on to Hibs and Cunningham took over as the Pars manager, steering them to the 1965 Scottish Cup Final, unfortunately losing 3-2 to Celtic, by then managed by Stein. Cunningham was much under-rated as a player but certainly not by Doherty who quickly realised his ability and leadership qualities. Fact File: Played for St Mirren 1950-54, Leicester City 1954-60, Dunfermline 1960-64, capped 30 times for Northern Ireland 1951-62, managed Dunfermline 1964-68, Falkirk 1968-72 and St Mirren 1972-74. Cunningham was before my time, but was obviously a significant part of one of the most attack-minded teams in the club's history. And as an influence to SAF, there are many in the modern game who have reason to be grateful to him. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 10 September 2007 Share Posted 10 September 2007 RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karlos Posted 10 September 2007 Share Posted 10 September 2007 RIP Is one of the kiosks named after him though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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