Eddie Cunningham

Edward "Eddie" Cunningham (born (1951-02-22) 22 February 1951) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level for Wigan, St. Helens, Leeds, Widnes and Batley, as a centre, second-row, or loose forward, i.e. number 3 or 4, 11 or 12, or 13, during the era of contested scrums.[2][3]

Eddie Cunningham
Personal information
Full nameEdward Cunningham
Born (1951-02-22) 22 February 1951
St. Helens, England
Playing information
PositionCentre, Second-row, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1969–74 Wigan 96+11 45 0 0 135
1975–79 St. Helens 132+12 75 0 0 225
1979–80 Leeds 25+1 8 0 0 24
1980–83 Widnes 67 26 0 0 78
1985–86 Batley 15 3 0 0 12
Total 359 157 0 0 474
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1975–78 Wales 8 2 0 0 6
1978 Great Britain 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]

Background

Eddie Cunningham was born in St. Helens, Lancashire, England.

Playing career

International honours

Eddie Cunningham won caps for Wales while at St. Helens in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup against England, Australia, England, and Australia, in 1977 against England, in 1978 against France, England, and Australia, and won a cap for Great Britain while at St. Helens in 1978 against Australia.[2]

World Club Challenge Final appearances

Eddie Cunningham played right-centre, i.e. number 3, in St. Helens 2–25 defeat by the 1975 NSWRFL season premiers, Eastern Suburbs Roosters in the unofficial 1976 World Club Challenge at Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday 29 June 1976.[4]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Eddie Cunningham played right-centre, i.e. number 3, and scored a try in St. Helens' 20–5 victory over Widnes in the 1976 Challenge Cup Final during the 1975–76 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 8 May 1976, in front of a crowd of 89,982, played left-centre, i.e. number 4, in Widnes' 18–9 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1981 Challenge Cup Final during the 1980–81 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 2 May 1981, in front of a crowd of 92,496, played left-centre, i.e. number 4, and scored 2-tries, and was named Man of the match winning the Lance Todd Trophy in the 14–14 draw with Hull F.C. in the 1982 Challenge Cup Final during the 1981–82 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 1 May 1982, in front of a crowd of 92,147, and played left-centre, i.e. number 4, in the 9–18 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1982 Challenge Cup Final replay during the 1981–82 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Wednesday 19 May 1982, in front of a crowd of 41,171.

County Cup Final appearances

Eddie Cunningham played loose forward in Wigan's 19–9 victory over Salford in the 1973 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1973–74 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 13 October 1973,[5] and played left-centre, i.e. number 4, in Widnes' defeat by Leigh in the 1981 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1981–82 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 26 September 1981.

BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final appearances

Eddie Cunningham played left-centre, i.e. number 4, and scored try in St. Helens' 11–26 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1977 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1977–78 season at Craven Park, Kingston upon Hull on Tuesday 13 December 1977, and played left-centre, i.e. number 4in the 7–13 defeat by Widnes in the 1978 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1978–79 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Tuesday 12 December 1978.

Genealogical information

Eddie Cunningham is the father of St. Helens and Widnes Vikings rugby league footballer Gareth Cunningham, and the brother of rugby league footballers Tommy Cunningham and Keiron Cunningham.

References
  1. RL Record Keepers' Club
  2. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. Williams, Graham; Lush, Peter; Farrar, David (2009). The British Rugby League Records Book. London League. pp. 108–114. ISBN 978-1-903659-49-6.
  4. "World Club Challenge 1976 at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  5. "1973–1974 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
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