Laurie Cunningham is the best player to have worn the famed red and white shirt, so every Leyton Orient fan should know his name.
Not only did he have an effect on the pitch, but he also paved the way for racial equality in sports.
For these reasons, he deserves to have a statue dedicated to him in the Coronation Gardens, near the Gaughan Group Stadium.
However, some O’s fans, as well as EFL followers in general, may be unaware of the London-born star and how he previously made his imprint on football’s biggest rivalry.
Laurie Cunningham joins Leyton Orient
Cunningham was rejected by Arsenal before joining Orient in 1974 at the age of 18.
He played the next three seasons with the East London club, all of which competed in the Second Division.
He only scored once in his rookie season, but the next two were significantly more productive, with eight and seven goals, respectively.
Cunningham was regarded for his dynamic style of play rather than his production abilities.
The winger’s pace, cunning, and unpredictability made him an exciting watch, which is why O’s fans loved him so much.
He made his final game for the club in March 1977, against Oldham Athletic, where he also made his debut, before joining First Division team West Bromwich Albion.
Cunningham not only excelled in The Hawthorns, but also in European competition.
The wide player netted four goals in eight UEFA Cup games, helping the Baggies defeat Galatasaray, Braga, and Valencia before falling to Red Star Belgrade in the quarterfinals.
Laurie Cunningham of Real Madrid
Cunningham’s performances with the O’s and Baggies earned him a move to the Santiago Bernabéu, making him the first Englishman to play for Real Madrid.
The 23-year-old was part of an amazing front three that included Juanito and Santillana, with Spain’s World Cup-winning coach Vicente Del Bosque in midfield.
Cunningham played in 29 of 34 La Liga games and scored eight goals, helping his team win the title in 1979-80.
One of those strikes came in a 3-2 home victory over Barcelona, but his best effort came in the opposite fixture at Camp Nou.
Laurie Cunningham’s El Clásico moment
Cunningham accomplished something that only Ronaldinho has since matched: garnering a standing ovation from rival fans following an El Clásico encounter.
The O’s icon delivered such an outstanding performance in Madrid’s 2-0 victory on February 10, 1980, that Barça fans felt compelled to express their gratitude, which has happened rarely, if ever, before or since.
“Ovation for Magnificent Cunningham,” was the headline in the next day’s edition of El Mundo Deportivo.
Cunningham delivered a masterclass in explosive wing play, aiding Santillana with a defence-splitting through pass, and gave his all on the big stage.
He drove us crazy with his dribbling, bursts, and quickness. “He was electric, impressive,” said Migueli, the famous Barcelona centre-back.
Nonetheless, without Leyton Orient, the Black Pearl would not have received El Clásico acclaim.
