Edward "Eddie" Cunningham (born 22 February 1951) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He played at international level for Great Britain and Wales, and at club level for Wigan, St. Helens, Leeds, Widnes, and Batley, as a , or .
Eddie Cunningham was born in St. Helens, Lancashire, England.
Cunningham played in Wigan's 19âÂÂ9 victory over Salford in the 1973 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1973âÂÂ74 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Saturday 13 October 1973.
Cunningham played at , and scored a try in St. Helens' 20âÂÂ5 victory over Widnes in the 1976 Challenge Cup Final during the 1975âÂÂ76 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 8 May 1976, in front of a crowd of 89,982.
Cunningham played at in St. Helens 2âÂÂ25 defeat by the 1975 NSWRFL season premiers, Eastern Suburbs Roosters in the unofficial 1976 World Club Challenge at Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday 29 June 1976.
Cunningham played at , and scored try in St. Helens' 11âÂÂ26 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1977 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1977âÂÂ78 season at Craven Park, Kingston upon Hull on Tuesday 13 December 1977, and played at in the 7âÂÂ13 defeat by Widnes in the 1978 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1978âÂÂ79 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Tuesday 12 December 1978.
After spending one season at Leeds, Cunningham was signed by Widnes in August 1980 for a fee of ã20,000.
Cunningham played at in Widnes' 18âÂÂ9 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1981 Challenge Cup Final during the 1980âÂÂ81 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 2 May 1981, in front of a crowd of 92,496, played at , and scored 2-tries, and was named Man of the match winning the Lance Todd Trophy in the 14âÂÂ14 draw with Hull F.C. in the 1982 Challenge Cup Final during the 1981âÂÂ82 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 1 May 1982, in front of a crowd of 92,147, and played at in the 9âÂÂ18 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1982 Challenge Cup Final replay during the 1981âÂÂ82 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Wednesday 19 May 1982, in front of a crowd of 41,171.
Cunningham played at in Widnes' defeat by Leigh in the 1981 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1981âÂÂ82 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 26 September 1981.
Eddie Cunningham won caps for Wales while at St. Helens in the 1975 Rugby League World Cup against England, Australia, England, and Australia, in 1977 against England, in 1978 against France, England, and Australia, and won a cap for Great Britain while at St. Helens in 1978 against Australia.
Eddie Cunningham is the father of St. Helens and Widnes Vikings rugby league footballer Gareth Cunningham, and the brother of rugby league footballers Tommy Cunningham and Keiron Cunningham.