When will I see you again

When will we share precious moments..

Written by: Resurrection Joe

Way back in the 70s, you could learn a lot about a man by asking him a simple question... What do you think of The Three Degrees?

Now if their answers contained references to Oxbridge graduates and comedy darlings The Goodies, or 'dad's favourites' and Motown torch bearers The Three Degrees.. then you were barking up the wrong tree, but if their answer featured West Bromwich Albion, Ron Atkinson, power, pace and an incredible revolution in English football... then you knew you were in the right conversation.

The Goodies, The Three Degrees and West Bromwich's Three Degrees

English society in the 70s was a society coming to terms with itself, ethnic minorities were not common place and Britain as a whole, had little idea or experience as to how to deal with new elements in society. Middle Britain were still enjoying The Black & White Minstrel Show, Love Thy Neighbour, It Ain't Half Hot Mum and Rising Damp.

1970s Portrayals Of Black Society With Love Thy Neighbour, The Black & White Minstrel Show and Rising Damp

Laurie Cunningham first came to prominence with Orient, in the old Second Division. Initially, he had blistering pace, was an absolute flyer, but in his second season, he added consistency and his all around game developed significantly. This drew him to the attention of maverick, football showman and manager 'Big Ron' Atkinson. Cunningham was capable of creating and finishing chances he could manufacture from nothing. It was only a matter of time before Laurie would ply his trade at the highest level and West Bromwich Albion took the plunge.. swapping him for Joe Mayo, in a deal estimated at a value of £110,000, in March 1977.

'Big Ron' Atkinson

In the close season, Atkinson brought two more new signings to the club, Brendan Batson a solid, intelligent right back from Cambridge and Cyrille Regis, from non league football, who was an immensely powerful, strong and combative centre forward.

W.B.A.'s Batson, Regis and Cunningham

There had been black players playing football, from the eccentric Victorian Arthur Wharton, Albert Johanneson, Clyde Best, Cliff Marshall, Vince Hilaire and Viv Anderson. The situation at West Brom however, was news worthy, this was the first time in history, that three black players had played in the same team.

The media whipped up a lot of hype and interest around what had now been dubbed, "The Three Degrees", by Ron Atkinson, a reference to a glamorous Motown 3 piece pop act. Fortunately, the trio were all fine players. Batson was intelligent and solid, Regis was explosive, powerful and strong, Cunningham was mercurial, agile, athletic and devastatingly quick. These players were defining a watershed period which was to wash away the fallacy that black players were not strong enough to play in the English top flight.

Cyrille Regis recalls: "It was radical. West Bromwich Albion was a focal point of a serious change in black football having three black players who were breaking down serious barriers." Whilst former boss Atkinson remembers 'they had great attitude and ability, it doesn't matter what colour you are, its who you are that counts'.

West Brom under Ron Atkinson were starting to make the English crowds sit up and take notice, advancing to a memorable FA Cup Semi Final against Ipswich. Cunningham however would only take part after replacing skipper John Wile who was suffering with a gaping head wound.

Cunningham Enjoying Success With An Impressive WBA Side

The following season however West Bromwich Albion really started to fulfil their potential and Cunningham in particular was in dazzling form. He scored 9 goals in 40 appearances, as Albion finished third in the First Division. In particular Cunningham impressed against Galatasaray, in the UEFA Cup, scoring in both legs. Cunningham mesmerised in the next round, scoring in Spain, against Valencia and running their highly organised defence ragged, he went on in the second leg, to supply both goals for Tony 'Bomber' Brown. Cunningham played a very active role in one of the games that defined a generation. He tore into a Manchester United defence as WBA demolished them 3-5 at Old Trafford, playing open, attacking and devastating football.

Cunningham had been selected to play for the England U21 team, which would make him the first black player ever to represent England at senior level. Viv Anderson had been selected to play in a friendly, for the full side, against Czechoslovakia. In May 1978, Laurie Cunningham became the first black player to play for the full English side, in a competitive game, when he debuted against Wales.

Cunningham Represented England 6 Times

Cunningham's eye-catching performances, incredible pace and athleticism drew him to the attention of Europe's elite clubs and this culminated in the Summer of 1979, when he signed for Real Madrid for a fee just below £1m.

Laurie immediately made an impact by scoring on his debut, he played 29 times in his first season, scoring 8 times. He helped the Madrid giants to a la Liga and Copa Del Rey double (something David Beckham still dreams of). The season ended in disappointment though... Madrid looked to be cruising to a European Cup Final to be staged at the Bernebeu, they led Kevin Keegan's Hamburg SV side 2-0 after the first leg of the semi-final, only to be crushed by the German's 5-1 in the second leg.

Cunningham The First Englishman To Play For Los Merengues

Further disappointment was to follow, Ron Greenwood a particularly traditional and pragmatic manager, opted not to use attacking wingers in his England teams, preferring a more solid approach. Ironically, Greenwood's England teams were to flounder in major competitions because they were unable to breakdown solid defences.

Cunningham was rapidly reaching his peak, but his career was beginning to be blighted by injuries. He was however fit to take his place in the Real Madrid team that had successfully battled it's way through to the European Cup Final. In the final they met Bob Paisley's impressive Liverpool side, Cunningham and Madrid made little impression on a stubborn Liverpool side, who eventually went on to win 1-0 with an 81st minute Alan Kennedy strike.

Further injuries followed, but Cunningham picked up a Copa Del Rey medal in 1982. Having finally regained fitness, he was recalled to the England fold, having re-emerged in a European Cup quarter-final against Kaiserslautern, in which they took a 3-1 first leg lead. However, he was one of 3 Madrid players sent off, as the Germans won 5-0 and Madrid crashed out. He was denied the chance to resurrect his International career and that was the last time he would feature in an England squad.

Madrid became impatient with Cunningham and looked to unload him after a series of injuries and unsympathetic managers. He was briefly re-united with Ron Atkinson in the 82/83 season, when he joined Manchester United on loan. He played 5 times and scored once.

Cunningham then had spells at Sporting Gijon, an encouraging spell at Olympique Marseille where he scored 8 times in 30 appearances, Leicester City and 2 seasons in Belgium with Charleroi.

Released in Belgium, performances led him to be inducted into 'The Crazy Gang', when he joined Dennis Wise, Vinny Jones and John Fashanu. His contributions earned him a place on the substitutes' bench for the FA Cup Final 1988 against Liverpool. Wimbledon shocked the football world by beating Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool, with a Lawrie Sanchez headed goal. Cunningham received his first medal in English football in rather unusual circumstances.

The following season Cunningham returned to Spain, playing for 2nd Division outfit Rayo Vellacano. Laurie was again outstanding, finally seeming to have shaken off his injury nightmares, he was again flying. He led the team to it's first ever promotion to the top flight.

Preparing for the new season, Laurie Cunningham was tragically involved in an horrific car crash just outside Madrid. He sustained massive injuries and tragically died on 15th July 1989, aged just 33.

Cunningham won a La Liga title 2 Spanish Cups and an FA Cup, he earned 6 England Caps, however his contribution to the game was far, far higher than those figures would suggest.

Throughout the 70s, racism was rife within British culture. Prejudice and bias were evident throughout football. Young, black and gifted was only a song in those days... Cunningham, Regis and Batson made it real. They were subjected to the most obscene abuse and played with style, panache and most of all dignity.

For those who lived in those days, one of the most enduring of images in the 70s, was the grace, athleticism, pace and power with which Laurie Cunningham moved. His life was tragically ended early and horrifically, some would say that he possibly underachieved.. but without him, his incredible performances, his quiet dignity, black footballers may never have the opportunities they do these days.

Cunningham, along with Batson, Regis and Anderson represented 'social icons' rather than mere sporting one.. they bravely paved the way for following generations. We have a lot to thank Laurie Cunningham for.

Cunningham In His Pomp