Laurie Cunningham's blue England international debut cap v Wales 23rd May 1979, sold with the match programme, and various papers relating to the proj
£800 - £1,200
Laurie Cunningham's blue England international debut cap v Wales 23rd May 1979, sold with the match programme, and various papers relating to the project to erect a Celebration Statue at New Square in West Bromwich town centre commemorating the club's ground breaking black players Cyrille Regis, Brendon Batson & Laurie Cunningham (2) The proceeds from this lot will go towards the funding of the 8 feet high bronze Celebration Statue by the internationally renowned sculptor Graham Ibbeson. West Bromwich Albion's Laurie Cunningham was the second black player to be capped for England, following Viv Anderson's debut six months earlier in a friendly fixture. Cunningham was the first black footballer to play for England in a competitive match, the Home International Championship fixture v Wales at Wembley 23rd May 1979. It was a 0-0 draw. In the summer of 1979 Cunningham, historically, became the first British black player to transfer to Real Madrid in a ?950,000 move from WBA. Tragically, Laurie Cunningham was killed in a car crash in Madrid 15th July 1989 at the age of 33. This cap has been gifted by Laurie's mother to help fund the Celebration Statue which is due to be unveiled this coming summer.