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Different Class: Fashion, Football & Funk - The Story of Laurie Cunningham

by Dermot Kavanagh - £9.99  Unbound (2019)
paperback    ISBN 13: 9781783527373 | ISBN 10: 1783527374

A biography of England's first professional black footballer, who represented Leyton Orient, West Bromwich Albion and became the first Englishman to play for Real Madrid.
 
Shortlisted for Biography of the Year at the British Sports Book Awards
 
When Laurie Cunningham played for England in an under-21s match against Scotland in 1977, he became the first black footballer to represent England professionally. Two years later, he would become the first Englishman to play for Real Madrid. In a time when racist chants flew from the stands, Cunningham's success challenged how black players were perceived, paving the way for future generations.
 
But Cunningham was more than an exceptional footballer who could play like a dream. He was a dandy with a love of funk music and bespoke suits, as easily graceful on the dance floor as he was on the pitch.
 
Different Class is a portrait of an important but unsung figure who brought glamour to the game at a particularly dark point in its history. Many know Laurie Cunningham's name but not his story; now they will know both.

(Price & availability last checked: August 2019)