William Cunningham (footballer)

William Cunningham (Willie) (27 October 1894 – 28 June 1934) was an English footballer who played as a wing half for Liverpool F.C.

For the Irish footballer, see Bill Cunningham (footballer). For the Scottish footballer, see Willie Cunningham (footballer, born 1925). For the Northern Irish footballer, see Willie Cunningham (Northern Irish footballer).

Biography

William Cunningham was born in Radcliffe, Northumberland, England, to parents William Cunningham Snr and Jane Cunningham Née Jones. He had six siblings one died in infancy. He married Ada Cunningham Née Patten in April 1920 and had two children.

He started his apprenticeship in Blyth Shipyards before the Great war. William enlisted in the Northumberland fusiliers during the Great war and later joined the Labour corps. He received the War medal, the Victory medal and made the rank of corporal.

Cunningham played three games for Liverpool and also played for Blyth Spartans, Barrow and Mid-Rhondda.[1]

He returned back to the north east from Wales to start work as a miner in 1926. As well as football he played cricket for Alnmouth cricket club he was a member of two golf clubs and enjoyed Billiards.

He tragically died in 1934 while working at Shilbottle Colliery, Northumberland.[2]

A newspaper extract from the Hartlepool Daily

The first fatal accident at Shilbottle Colliery in ten years, during which time it has lifted 2,000,000 tons of coal, occurred yesterday. The victim was William Cunningham (40), a hewer, of Front Street, Alnmouth, and a former professional footballer, who was killed by a fall of stone. (Source: Hartlepool Northern Daily: June 29, 1934)

Club career

Blyth Spartans A.F.C.

1919-1920

Willie Cunningham made his name at his local football Team Blyth Spartans who he followed avidly. He was taken on as a defender after being discharged from the army. He was sold to Liverpool F.C in May 1920 for £50

Liverpool F.C

1920-1922

Cunningham made his debut in the first division fixture with Middlesbrough F.C as a left-winger at Anfield on 12 March 1920 and then figured on the right wing in the penultimate game of the season, away to Arsenal on 2 May. Both games finished in goalless draws. His third and final appearance for the Reds was as a replacement for left-half Tom Bromilow in a home match with Bolton Wanderers on 18 March 1922, which Liverpool lost 2-0 in their Championship-winning season. His Career at Liverpool F.C. was plagued with injury. He also played for the Reserves.

Barrow A.F.C.

1924-1925

Scored a penalty against Darlington F.C on a snowy return leg on boxing day 1924. Barrow where beaten 5-1.

Mid-Rhondda United F.C.

1925-1927

Willie joined Mid-Rhondda on the 7th October 1924. Club went into financial crisis soon after. He also had a Career stopping knee injury and had some of his cartilage removed.

References
  1. "William Cunningham". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  2. "The Amble and District Mining Memorial: Shilbottle Colliery". fusilier.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2017.

(Source: Hartlepool Northern Daily: June 29, 1934)

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