English Heritage plaque dedicated to the great Laurie Cunningham
//The plaque at 73 Lancaster Road. Photo: Peter Tarry//
Great news about the English heritage blue plaque dedicated yesterday at 73 Lancaster Road in north London’s Finsbury Park, one-time home of the late great footballer Laurie Cunningham.
//Dermot Kavanagh speaks at the unveiling. Among those in attendance were Cunningham’s friend Cyrille Regis, his former girlfriend Nikki Brown and members of his family. Photo: Peter Tarry//
As I’ve written here before, Cunningham’s significance extends outside of his considerable achievements as a sportsman; the first black player to represent England and be signed to an overseas club (Spain’s Real Madrid), he lived his tragically short life off the field at the cutting edge of street style and club culture.
The plaque dedicated to Cunningham is the result of the tireless efforts of his champion Dermot Kavanagh, who publishes his book Different Class: Fashion, Football & Funk The Story Of Laurie Cunningham next year.
//73 Lancaster Road, London N4. Photo: Peter Tarry//
Kavanagh spoke at yesterday’s ceremony to announce the plaque; among those in attendance was Cunningham’s friend Cyrille Regis. Together with Brendon Batson, they formed the triumvirate of black players in the West Bromwich Albion FC squad dubbed ‘The Three Degrees’ by manager Ron Atkinson in the 70s.
//The classic shot of 17-year-old Laurie Cunningham at Brisbane Road, home to Leyton Orient FC, in a suit of his own design, 1973.//
Together the trio faced down racist treatment on a scale unimaginable today, and paved the way for young black talent to enter the game and gain acceptance on equal terms.
Different Class is fully pledged but you can still support it and guarantee yourself a copy here.