Laurie cunningham

[Dubbag]

First British player to sign for Real Madrid. They waited another twenty years to sign their second one in Steve McManaman. Laurie was mercurial. Pity we only had him for such a relatively short time but at least we did.

All the more mercurial when you comsider the butchers who use to ply their trade as hatchet men legally on the football pitch.
I don'y think he ever wore shin guards either, least that I can remember. Socks always around his ankles..

[Omegstrat6]

An undoubted Albion legend who (like a few players from the Midlands clubs!) should have had more England caps. Watching those old clips of him on YouTube brings back great memories. Faced quite a bit of racism over in Spain too when he joined Real Madrid but his performances soon won many over that first season-even the Barcelona fans applauded him when Real beat them 2-0!

Very sadly injuries and unsuccessful operations saw him fall out of favour the next season. Laurie always loved to dance and being caught photographed in night clubs didn't help. Seem to remember some of his team mates then questioning his attitude which I can never recall happening when he was with us but maybe that was a manifestation of some kind of inherent racism?

Though most on here have probably already read it, I recommend Paul Rees's "Three Degrees" book on the story of our celebrated trio