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Laurence Paul Cunningham Date of birth: Mar 8, 1956 Place of birth: London Date of death: 15.07.1989 . He was 33. Cunningham's long-time . You have to remember that as a player when you play well everyone wants you. She gave me the 1 hour free consultation. My mum was just lying there covered in blood. Killed in a Madrid car crash in 1989 at the age of 33, he may well have been a talent unfulfilled but his legacy inspired a generation of black footballers. Two or three years later Bryan Robson left, then Remi Moses did - I don't think the club has ever been the same.". He died on July 15, 1989 in Madrid, Spain. Salary in 2020. And Big Cyrille admits that he has made plenty of mistakes during his own career. To mark the 25th anniversary of the game, Madrid newspaper AS ran a feature with the headline "The man who ran riot in the Nou Camp" and quoted one Barcelona fan who was there. With his pace reduced, he spent the remainder of his career as a wandering journeyman, spending time with Leicester City (1985-86), Rayo Vallecano (1986-87), Wimbledon (1987-88), and Charleroi (1987-88). Get Albion manager latest, team news, match updates and analysis delivered straight to your inbox. 15 July 1989 - The Death Of Laurie Cunningham. Nikki Hare-Brown's voice cracks a little as she considers what Laurie Cunningham might be doing now, had his life not been cut tragically short at the age of 33. "I was really scared. He was 33. He is candid about how his eye for the ladies poisoned his first marriage to wife Beverley, around the time he was helping Coventry City win the FA Cup in 1987. The privileged one, since it has never happened again with any other Real Madrid player, was Cunningham. George Petchey, the manager who gave him his debut at 16, recalls telling his young protg to respond to having bananas hurled at him by supporters by simply handing them to the linesman, while former Orient team-mate Bobby Fisher remembers their Black Power salute to 10,000 Millwall supporters baying for blood after Cunningham scored the winner in the last minute at the Den. He was duly sent out on loan, first of all to Manchester United and then to Sporting Gijn, before being permanently sold to Marseille for the 1984/85 campaign. The day saw dozens of Laurie's family, friends and former team-mates join us as guests at the Matchroom Stadium with events throughout the day to celebrate the life of the special talent that was cut tragically short. Born in London, Cunningham signed his first professional contract . In a time when racist chants and bananas thrown at players from the crowd were common, his time at Leyton Orient and West Bromwich Albion changed how black players were . Cunningham received his first international call-up to the England U21 side in 1977 while playing for West Bromwich Albion, becoming the first black footballer to represent an England international team organised by the Football Association. Cunningham va morir en un accident de trnsit a Madrid el mat del 15 de juliol de 1989, a l'edat de 33 anys. A dazzling display in a 2-0 victory at the home of Real's bitter rivals Barcelona was the pinnacle of a meteoric rise that had also seen Cunningham become the first black player ever to wear an England shirt. He was killed in a car crash outside Madrid at the age of just 33. It was precisely this unique style of play that made him stand out from the rest and after three successful seasons at Orient, he earned a move to West Brom. Pierre Curie: 1859 . I had a good upbringing, I enjoyed school, had a lot of friends, but at the back of my mind, my mum and sisters were dead. Cunningham was killed in a car crash in Madrid on the morning of 15 July 1989, at the age of 33. Laurie Cunningham's birthday and biography. Laurie Cunningham as a boy (date unknown). I ran upstairs and my sisters were in the bath. Laurie Cunningham, who died in 1989 aged 33, will always be remembered as the pristinely youthful pioneer who illuminated the game with his artistry and courage . For the next few years, Cunningham bounced from club to club, never spending more than a season with the same team. After four years at the Bernabeu, in 1983 Cunningham was reunited with Atkinson, now manager of Manchester United, when he went to Old Trafford on loan. FOOTBALL legend Cyrille Regis has opened his heart about his womanising past and the drunken car crash which nearly killed him. He's considered as the first English soccer player to join Real Madrid. RM 2CWN25G - Race car driver Wade Cunningham hits the wall during the IZOD IndyCar World Championship race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada October 16, 2011. Cunningham returned to Spain in 1988 to play for Rayo Vallecano. I think its pretty clear that is what happened there, although it has not come out. The man who stole the show for then top-flight English side West Bromwich Albion that day, as he did most times he stepped onto a football pitch, was Laurie Cunningham. Joseph Cure: 1983 2015 31 years American actor and ice hockey player car Ennis, Montana: Slick conditions made for risky driving. 14 July 1971 - The Only Englishman To Reach The 20 13 July 2006 - It's Not Exactly Right To Say He "S 12 July 1988 - An Award For Winning Awards. The Camp Nou was so impressed by the Englishmans performance that many of the Bara fans began to applaud. Cunningham only remained in France for one season in 198485, before heading back to England to join Leicester City, although he played only half a season due to further injury. "I see him as never realising his potential," revealed Regis. I think that's part of the romance of the story.". Memories of Laurie Cunningham, killed in a car crash on the notorious bend of the La Corua road at Puerta de Hierro just northwest of the city in the small hours of Sunday July 16, 1989. Almost exactly one year . He said: I was staggered. This was the first in a series of unfortunate injuries that would torment the winger for the rest of his time in the Spanish capital. In the 63rd minute, a sumptuous piece of play from Cunningham provided the second goal. In the end, the most significant thunder-stealing moment of his life came not on a dancefloor but rather on a football pitch. Actually, Laurie Cunningham liked to perform. Laurie Cunningham was an iconic figure at the time for me growing up in Birmingham, said Moore, who has both played for and managed West Brom. Thats a football match, Moores father told him. The man who . 7NEWS brings you the latest Car Accidents news from Australia and around the world. However, in a brutally honest appraisal of his diminishing powers, he asked to be left out of the FA Cup final team that played Brighton that year because, according to his manager, he felt "he couldn't do himself justice in such a big game". I knew Ron could fly close to the wind when it came to jokes, but this was something different. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Laurie Cunningham: Tragic tale of the former Manchester United player, Extra 10% Nike discount code for students, 20% off selected items with this Footasylum discount code, 15% off when you sign up - New Balance newsletter discount, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK March 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this March, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. "As for my other family members, no one would talk about my mum. On the way home at 2am Laurie, who was driving a Renault 5 GTI, momentarily fell asleep at the wheel. He is from London. Under Atkinson, West Bromwich finished sixth in Cunningham's first season before blowing their chance of the title in the final weeks of the 1978-79 season to eventually trail in third. He was looking forward to his return to Spain's top flight when he had the car crash that killed him. The Perth family had been holidaying in the region over the WA . "At Leyton Orient he had George Petchey and Bobby Fisher who kept an eye on him and then he had a great time at West Brom with Cyrille and Ron. He went on to score on his first appearance in El Clasico two weeks later, though Real ultimately succumbed to a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona. "They started bidding at 250,000 and we started at 1.5m - nobody spoke the same language except for the translator so we would write a figure on a piece of paper, show it to them and they would cross them out and put in their offer. His wide appeal still meant the likes of Manchester United and Marseille believed he was worth signing, though he was never able to replicate his performances for West Brom. Laurie Cunningham, who made his name playing for West Bromwich Albion, died aged 33 in a car crash in Spain in 1989. Their idea being that his presence alone would be enough to rattle the Liverpool defence. The writer's inquiries triggered a cold case police review that led officers to re-examine stored forensic evidence and reopen the unsolved case. He left Real after the 198283 season,[4] joining Sporting Gijn and subsequently Marseille.[7]. He returned to Rayo Vallecano in 1988 and scored the goal that secured their promotion to the Spanish First Division for the 1989-90 season. 15 July 1989. Reial Madrid. [11], In November 2017, a statue by Graham Ibbeson was unveiled in Coronation Gardens, Leyton, near Brisbane Road, paying tribute to Cunningham and his time at Leyton Orient. Cunninghams career with Los Blancos got off to a blast. The lives of Lori and Chris Coble were shattered in an instant when they lost their three children in a car accident on May 4, 2007. But what he did on the pitch, and the changes he helped bring about off it, left a lasting impact on the English game. Cunningham later moved back to Spain and Rayo Vallecano for the 198889 season. It is not a well-travelled road. And Cunningham showed how much he could play in a Uefa Cup tie against Valencia on 6 December 1978, a game that changed his life. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Height/Weight. "These were offences of unspeakable brutality and utmost gravity," he said. The former soccer star is now a successful agent to a number of top players who are disbelieving of the once overt racism in the game. Coronation Street favourite Julia Goulding has confirmed she's back on the cobbles. Net Worth in 2021. But injuries soon impaired his ability and he went on loan to Manchester United (1982-83) and Sporting Gijon (1983-84) before transferring to Marseille in 1984. Playing against Scotland in a friendly at Bramall Lane that April, he beat Viv Anderson's debut for the senior side by almost 18 months and blazed the trail for 179 black and mixed race players who have since represented England, although he went on to win only a paltry six senior caps. It would be here in the Midlands that Cunningham was catapulted to true stardom. A life which should be remembered more. Ex-Real Madrid player and manager Vicente Del Bosque stated that while Cunningham was one of the most gifted players he ever came across, he might have lacked the competitive spirit required at Real. The champions scored a total of 70 goals in their 34 games that season; Laurie contributing eight from the 29 matches he played. During that decade, Cunningham was at the forefront of a generation of Black footballers who became truly prominent in the English game for the first time. Laurie Cunningham was the first black footballer to play professionally for England when he represented the under 21's in 1977, and first Englishman to play for Real Madrid. "For that 1978-79 season, especially around the time when we beat Valencia in the Uefa Cup, I've never worked with a better player. "He was saying how he was going to light up the Bernabeu next season and show Madrid what they had missed out on. Born. He moved to Charleroi in Belgium for the 198788 campaign, but was yet again struck down by injury, and in the new year was back in England on a short-term deal with Wimbledon, where he managed to help the Dons beat Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup Final. To have that being echoed through Cyril, I felt that I almost personally knew Laurie. Cunningham was the first Englishman to play football for Real Madrid. Officials of Delhi Police yesterday arrested a 20-year . Features. After a spell in France with Marseille, he returned to England with Leicester City in 1985, followed by a return to Spain with Rayo Vallecano. Laurie's time at Real Madrid was bittersweet. In their eyes, the photos of Cunningham in the disco painted the player, and more importantly the club, in an unseemly light. Still only 33, he had just helped Madrid's unfashionable Rayo Vallecano reach La Liga for the first time in the latest pitstop on a remarkable journey that also took in Manchester United Real's opponents in the Champions League tomorrow West Bromwich Albion, Marseilles, Leicester City, a Marvin Gaye-style exile in Belgium with Charleroi and Wimbledon's Crazy Gang. Regis said he understands why players of today like Manchester Uniteds Wayne Rooney can appear to put their own careers before their clubs. He was one of the top, top talented players of any time and generation., Cunningham was undoubtedly a superstar in his last year at West Brom and such was his broad appeal, the original Three Degrees came to Birmingham from the US to meet Atkinsons Three Degrees.. He was killed in a car crash in Madrid, ten years after first arriving there, aged 33 in July 1989. West Bromwich Albion became one of the most attractive and exciting English sides in the late 1970s and Cunningham soon attracted attention. In all the years I had known Ron I had never heard him use that particular word. Born in London, Cunningham signed his first professional contract with Leyton Orient. By then his legacy was already secure and, as Regis confirmed, his was a life and career that will never be forgotten. Furthermore, at West Brom, under the tutelage of Atkinson, next to Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson, he formed one-third of the famous Three Degrees strikeforce that took English football by storm. Laurie Cunningham, pictured at Orient in 1975. "He was one of the greatest players of his generation. Jamie Bamber plays Archie Hughes in Beyond Paradise on BBC One. It was a period when there weren't many international signings and the club made a special effort financially to sign Laurie, to sign a star, because almost all the rest of us were from the youth team.". The club celebrated the life and career of Laurie Cunningham on Saturday at the match against MK Dons. Malcolm Boyden tells his story . For all parties, things would never be the same. He was survived by his Spanish wife and their son. I was stuck in a vortex of work hard, play hard, partying and girls, he said. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Laurie Cunningham travelled from Leyton Orient to Real Madrid via West Bromwich Albion. "I have a lot to say thank you to him for.". "The diversion was doomed to failure, and not even the original 1982 investigations fell for that," the prosecutor added. It was only through advances in DNA that Dyce was eventually detained. The art and craft of creating a writing habit. A new documentary tells his trail-blazing story, writes Ed Aarons, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. As for what else he may have added to his legacy in his later headache, tragically, we will never know. "I went out with him and the Vallecano president," he said. From that moment, Moore knew what he wanted to do in life. "If you are used to producing 10/10 performances, it's hard to keep up those levels," conceded Regis. Believing the microphone was switched off, he said, he [Desailly] is what is known in some schools as a lazy thick n****r. In the centre of a small east London park, just a stone's throw from Leyton Orient's stadium, is a statue of a man with arms outstretched, his left . Laurie Cunningham was killed in a car crash in Madrid on the morning of. Died. Albion featured two other players of African descent, Brendan Batson and Cyrille Regis, and the three of them were known as the "Three Degrees." The presence of three black players on one . | Barney Ronay, MLS Week 2 Preview: LAFC hosts Timbers, Galaxy visits FC Dallas, and more, Liverpool, Napoli and the Problem With Systems, ACHIEVING IMMORTALITY: JOCK STEIN, HELENIO HERRERA, AND THE 1967 EUROPEAN CUP FINAL, 31 July 2009 - Mutu Loses Some Of His Appeal. Darren Moore vividly recalls sitting at home as an eight-year-old, staring at the television in wide-eyed amazement. A left winger, he notably played in England, France and Spain, where he became the first ever British player to sign for Real Madrid. Cunningham, of course, was at the heart of this. His career became nomadic. All Rights Reserved. The late England player's brother was Richards' partner. He added: Im an agent now myself and the question I ask is why would someone like Rooney want to leave Manchester United? This significance of this moment should not be undersold a Real Madrid player receiving an ovation in Barcelona. Before joining Rhetoriq, Laurie spent eight years developing thought leadership . He later earned 6 caps for the full national team between 1979 and 1980, becoming one of the first ever black England internationals. He was to win a total of six caps for England. A brace from the Londoner saw Real Madrid overturn the visiting sides early lead before Los Blancos went on to win 3-1. "It was weird going from being the youngest to the eldest, not being able to talk to my sisters about boys, make-up and secrets. "There was a massive sea change among managers too, people like Graham Taylor, David Pleat and John Bond. Cunningham arrived in Spain in 1979 as the most expensive signing in the club's history at 127 million pesetas. Graceful, balletic, smooth, he was everything the purist would want in a footballer. He just liked to dance. They all took care of him but in Madrid they tried to police him instead and perhaps that wasn't the best way to handle him. Perhaps the peak of his Real career came later that season in the reverse fixture against Barcelona at the Camp Nou. players, in a poll organised as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations. One or other of the young girls Samantha, nine and Syretta, seven is thought to have been woken by the noise. On the pitch he was just as light-footed and graceful; a blisteringly quick winger with a keen eye for goal. Laurie Cunningham former footballer from England Left Winger * Mar 8, 1956 in London, . Cunninghams exploits in his two seasons at West Brom, in particular a match against Valencia in the UEFA Cup, convinced Real Madrid to pay a reported club-record fee of 110 million pesetas around $1.2 million to bring the talented youngster to Spain. I remember taking copious notes as she revealed something that, at least to me, sounded . For the entire match, Cunningham inspired his side with a display of skill and speed. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Laurie Cunningham. Discovery Company. Laurie Cunningham was one of the most exciting players in English football during his time at West Brom. [8] Despite this club success, Cunningham was overlooked by England manager Ron Greenwood for a place in the England squad for Euro 1980.[7]. Unsurprisingly, Cunningham was a shadow of his former self and, despite brief glimpses of the ability he once possessed, Real Madrid eventually lost 1-0. But it was following his move to West Bromwich Albion in 1977 that his career really took off. Regis remembers: "I was in touch with him all the time and we spoke regularly. The following season, Cunningham suffered a broken toe, a knee injury and several unsuccessful surgeries, but somehow still managed to start against Liverpool in the 1981 European Cup final. In his first few games he took all within his stride; long, alarmingly quick strides. Cunningham was capped 12 times by England but his life was tragically cut short in 1989, aged 33, in a car accident in Madrid. He was an outstanding representative of a generation . In . Unfortunately, in July 1989, not long after Rayo achieved promotion back to the Primera, Cunningham was involved in a car accident that ended his life. On December 18, 2016 the Lord called Laurie home from labor to reward. "For two years it was fantastic for him and he became very famous. "It was a fantastic thing for him to achieve, to play for Real Madrid, but it was sad too because West Brom had a fantastic chemistry," added Regis. . And as recently as 1994 a photo of the Aston Villa first team was circulating on the internet entitled Aston n****r. "That was the game that everyone remembers," said Regis. I guess it was too much for them. Cunningham has also been honoured with an English Heritage blue plaque at his childhood home, statues at Orient and Albion, an ITV documentary, First Among Equals (2013) and a play by Dougie Blaxland, Getting the Third Degree . Girl, 3, Killed In Delhi Car Accident, Air Force Officer's Son Arrested. On the morning of July 15, 1989, Cunningham was involved in a fatal car accident at the age of just 33. Two years later, he became the first black player fielded by the English senior side in a competitive match (Viv Anderson had played earlier for England, but in a friendly). Transfer history . In the second leg, however, he was sent off shortly before half time for retaliation, as Kaiserslautern won 50 to inflict Real Madrid's worst ever result in European competition. 22 July 2002 - His Name Is Rio And His Last Name's 21 July 1914 - Brazil's Humble Beginnings, 19 July 1966 - North Korea Send Italy Pak-ing, 18 July 2005 - The Galcticos Take Over The Galaxy, 17 July 1930 - The World Cup's First Hat-Trick, 15 July 1989 - The Death Of Laurie Cunningham. Every so often I would get a call from a newspaper to tell me they were going to run a story, saying I was with this lady or that girl and that would cause me real stress. 1989-07-15 Laurie Cunningham, English soccer left winger (6 caps; Orient, West Bromwich Albion, Real Madrid, Marseille, Rayo Vallecano), dies in a car crash at 33 1989-09-03 Gaetano Scirea, Italian soccer defender (78 caps, FIFA World Cup 1982; Juventus 377 games), dies in a car accident at 36 The scarcity of internet footage of Cunningham means younger fans wondering just how good he was have to rely on comparisons from those who knew him. 8 March 1956 in St Mary's Archway, London [registered in Islington, March 1956]. It just so happened that the Real Madrid hierarchy, along with the rest of the country, took notice as Cunninghams sheer pace and light-footed trickery stunned the Valencia defence. [9], In October 2013, the Nubian Jak Community Trust unveiled a blue plaque outside Brisbane Road. [2], Born in Archway, London, he was the son of a former Jamaican race-horse jockey. A month or so later, he was dead.". On a grander scale, these were crazy, passionate times in the capital. "Their style was as far away from his as you could get and it shows how far his career had gone down," said Regis. Today, he is remembered as one of the finest players that England has ever . He played there for three years before moving to West Bromwhich Albion, where he was joined by Cyrille Regis and, the next year, Brendon Batson to mark the first time an English side fielded three black players at the same time. His final season as a footballer was back in the Spanish capital, a second stint with Rayo. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. He was somebody with so much grace and speed and finesse on the football pitch and had an eye for goal. There he played alongside Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson under coach Ron Atkinson, becoming only the second trio of black players to be fielded in the top flight of English football. Laurie graduated from Battery Park High School June 1978 in. [4] He scored twice on his debut and helped Real win the league and cup double. 29 July 2001 - Enough Clean Sheets To Fill A Linen 28 July 2007 - Bara Breaks Hearts' Record, 27 July 2009 - The Great Striker Swap Of 2009, 26 July 2009 - A Fitting Farewell For Bobby Robson. Exactly 20 years ago, on 15 July 1989, one of the most remarkable careers in English football history came to a sudden and tragic end in a car crash on the outskirts of Madrid. But it is also good to remember your history and know where you have come from. It was an iconic occasion in the history of the game. The Three Degrees meet up with their football namesakes. I am satisfied the seriousness of these offences is exceptionally high and you should never be released.". Aftab Jafferjee QC, prosecuting, said Richards was raped and stabbed five times. He returned to Madrid the following season, this time with Rayo Vallecano and scored the goal that secured promotion back to La Liga. Laurie Cunningham. It was only the tragic death of his closest friend Cunningham in a car crash in July 1989 that finally made Regis look at changing his life. He left Zuvira for dead again, steaming past the full-back before putting in a perfect cross with the outside of his right boot, which was finished off by striker Santillana. They were dead too. After becoming the first Black player to ever represent Englands Under-21s in 1977, Cunninghams performances eventually earned him a deserved full England cap in 1979. Rejected by Arsenal, he began his professional career at Leyton Orient in 1974 and within five years he became the first Englishman to play for Real Madrid. Big Ron was later sacked by ITV after he broadcast a racial remark live on air about the Chelsea player Marcel Desailly. By all accounts, Cunningham was thoroughly professional and barely drank on his nights out. Left Winger Current club: ---Further information. Laurie Cunningham: 1956 1989 33 years English footballer car Renault 5 GTI Madrid, Spain Car collided with barrier and overturned. A left winger, he notably played in England, France and Spain, where he became the first ever British player to sign for Real Madrid . Laurie Cunningham's life was tragically cut short 25 years ago today when he was killed in a car crash in Madrid on the morning of 15 July 1989. [13], A play based on his life, Getting the Third Degree by Dougie Blaxland, was first performed in 2019. But when you play badly nobody wants you, so you have to take care of yourself. Cunningham, Regis and Batson were outstanding in both senses of the word - English football fans had never seen three black players in a top-flight team before and the trio produced some stunning performances. London, Greater London, England. Back then, Spanish sides were restricted to only two foreign players. His name was Laurie Cunningham. Tony Dyce believed he had escaped suspicion after killing Norma Richards, 27, and two of her young daughters at their home in Dalston, north-east London in July 1982. [1], In 1974 he was picked up by second tier side Orient where he remained for 3 years. Read More Keane slams De Gea as 'like he's had a few drinks . Stay up to date with all of the breaking Accident headlines. A life which was more than football. In a car accident. His amazing journey from Brisbane Road to the Bernabeu went via West Brom, where the winger became the first black player capped by England at any level and, along with defender Brendan Batson and striker Cyrille Regis, formed the legendary 'Three Degrees' partnership. He and team-mates Cunningham and Brendon Batson were infamously dubbed The Three Degrees by their controversial manager Ron Atkinson. Cunningham recovered just in time for the 1981 European Cup Final against Liverpool in Paris, as Real Madrid lost 10. 1979 - 1983, sadly killed in a car crash in 1989. But actually seeing the footage of Laurie really brings it all back.". CREATIVE. It is probably the most telling endorsement of Cunninghams ability to entertain a crowd with his immense talent. Cunningham was killed in a car crash in Madrid on the morning of 15 July 1989, at the age of 33. BBC Breakfast star Charlie Stayt halts show to warn Lenny Henry 'you shouldn't say that', Charlie was hosting BBC Breakfast on Thursday - but warned Lenny: "You really shouldn't say that. Striker Regis was one of the first black footballers to break through to the top level of English football when he made his debut for the Baggies in 1977. But few handled it better than Laurie did. "On the way home at 2am Laurie, who was driving a Renault 5 GTI, momentarily fell asleep at the wheel. But injuries began to take their toll on Cunningham and without an agent or anyone to look after him the psychological knocks seemed to have as much of an affect as the physical ones. Despite his continuing battle against injuries, Cunningham would later find more glory in a short spell back in England with Wimbledon, briefly becoming part of the clubs famous Crazy Gang that shocked Liverpool to win the 1988 FA Cup final. ITV Dancing On Ice's Christopher Dean issues Jayne Torvill health announcement. To make matters worse, on the night of the Betis game, Laurie was found in a Madrid nightclub wearing his cast. This was the second time an English top-flight team simultaneously fielded three black players (the first being Clyde Best, Clive Charles and Ade Coker for West Ham United against Tottenham Hotspur in April 1972) and Atkinson collectively referred to Cunningham, Batson and Regis as "The Three Degrees" after the U.S. soul singing trio.[4].