John Cunningham (rugby league)


John Cunningham is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s. He played at representative level for England and Cumbria, and at club level for Roose ARLFC, Salford 'A', Barrow, Balmain Tigers, Hull Kingston Rovers, Workington Town, Cooma Stallions, and Corporation Combine ARLFC as a, or, i.e. number 8 or 10, 11 or 12, or 13.

Background

John Cunningham was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire, England.

Playing career

International honours

John Cunningham won caps for England while at Barrow in 1975 against France, and Wales.

County honours

John Cunningham represented Cumbria.

BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final appearances

John Cunningham played right-, i.e. number 10, in Hull Kingston Rovers' 26–11 victory over St. Helens in the 1977–78 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final at Craven Park, Hull on Tuesday 13 December 1977.

Notable tour matches

John Cunningham made his début, and scored a try in Barrow's 10–14 defeat by New Zealand at Craven Park on Wednesday 4 November 1970.

Club career

John Cunningham joined Barrow in July 1970, his last match for Barrow was against Huddersfield at Craven Park on Friday 14 March 1975, he was transferred from Barrow to Hull Kingston Rovers for £6,000 on 17 July 1975, he suffered several knee injuries that limited his appearances for Hull Kingston Rovers, he was transferred from Hull Kingston Rovers to Workington Town for £18,000 in 1980.

Genealogical information

John Cunningham is married to Julie, and is the uncle of the rugby league footballers, Liam Harrison and Ben Harrison.

Outside of rugby league

John Cunningham has been the landlord of; The Derby Hotel, 246–248 Dalton Road, Barrow-In-Furness; The Furness Hotel, 13 Bath St, Barrow-In-Furness; and The Old Bank, 107–109 Duke Street, Barrow-In-Furness.