NEWS, NOTES & MILESTONES

BIRTHS

1958 - Wayne Hughes

After unsuccessful trials with Leeds United, Everton and Manchester City, Port Talbot-born Wayne Hughes signed apprentice forms with Albion in July 1974. Just under two years later the Welshman signed his first professional contract with the club and made his first team debut as a substitute in the final game of the 1976/77 season - a 4-0 defeat against Aston Villa at Villa Park. He struggled to establish himself at The Hawthorns and made just six more first team appearances before leaving to join Cardiff City in October 1979. He spent three years at Ninian Park, making 50 appearances before moving on to non-league Yeovil Town. Hughes, who was part of Albion’s FA Youth Cup winning team in 1976, also spent a nine month spell playing for Tulsa Roughnecks in the NASL between January and September 1979 for which the Baggies received a ‘loan fee’ of £50,000.

1956 - Laurie Cunningham

London-born Laurie Cunningham joined Orient as an apprentice in the summer of 1972 after being rejected by Arsenal. He signed professionally with the club in July 1974 and just weeks later, at the age of 18, made his first team debut for the O’s in a Texaco Cup game against West Ham United at Upton Park. He quickly became a regular in Orient’s first team and in March 1977 Johnny Giles’ Albion made a move for the young winger. For a fee of £110,000 Cunningham moved to The Hawthorns.

With his pace, skill and eye for goal Cunningham quickly became an idol amongst the Baggies faithful. Nicknamed 'The Black Pearl', his talent didn’t go unnoticed at international level either, becoming the first Black player to represent England in a major international game, lining up for the under-21 side against Scotland at Bramall Lane, a game in which he scored. He would later go on to win six full England caps.

In the summer of 1979, he became the first British player to sign for Spanish giants Real Madrid, who paid Albion a record fee of £950,000. He scored twice on his debut and would go on to help Real win the league and cup double in his first season at the club. He had two good seasons at the Bernabéu but a series of niggling injuries meant he played little football for the rest of his spell at the club. He was reunited with his old boss Ron Atkinson in March 1983 when he joined Manchester United on a short-term loan deal but he would make just three starts for United before returning to Madrid.

Cunningham would go on to have short spells at Sporting Gijon, Marseille, Leicester City, Rayo Vallecano, Charleroi and Wimbledon, where he won an FA Cup winners’ medal in 1988. Just over a year later, during a second spell at Spanish side Vallecano, his life was tragically ended in a road accident on the outskirts of Madrid during the early hours of July 15. A sad end to a player and person that brought so much joy and excitement to thousands.

1921 - Cliff Edwards

Cannock-born Cliff Edwards played football in his home-town before joining Albion as an amateur in October 1938, signing professional terms the following year. He was a regular for Albion during the Second World War and also ‘guested’ for Bath City, Blackpool and Carlisle United. After the war he had two decent seasons at The Hawthorns before he left in June 1948, joining Bristol City in an exchange deal with Cyril Williams. After two years at Ashton Gate he moved onto Gravesend and Northfleet where he spent a short spell before retiring.

Following the end of his playing career he returned to West Bromwich and became a successful businessman, joining Albion’s board of directors in 1971. He would remain in the role until 1986 when ill-health forced him to resign. His departure from the board meant that for the first time since 1891 there would be no former players in the Albion boardroom. Edwards died locally in March 1989 at the age of 68.
 

DEATHS

None known.

DEBUTS

1986 - Martin Dickinson v Tottenham Hotspur, White Hart Lane, First Division.

1975 - Bob Ward & Ian Edwards v Sheffield Wednesday, The Hawthorns, Second Division.

1890 - Sammy Nicholls v Everton, Stoney Lane, Football League.
 

FAREWELLS

1986 - Tony Godden & Jimmy Nicholl v Tottenham Hotspur, White Hart Lane, First Division.

1890 - Luther Walker v Everton, Stoney Lane, Football League.

TRANSFERS

None known.

RESULTS