Bill Cunningham, a left-half, signed for Exeter City from Liverpool in 1925 but did not play for the first-team during his stay at St James’ Park. He died in a colliery accident in 1934. 

Leaving the army after World War One, he returned to Northumberland and gained a reputation playing for Blyth Spartans. Drawing the attention of Liverpool, he moved to Anfield for a £50 fee in May 1920 and mainly served as an understudy to England international Tom Bromilow. Making his Liverpool debut in March 1921 against Middlebrough, he had three league outings in total.

Appearing for Barrow of Division Three (North) in 1924/25 Bill joined Exeter City in the summer of 1925, and after taking his bow in the midweek public practice game at St James’ Park on 26 August 1925, made his debut for the reserves in the Southern League at home to Ebbw Vale four days later. But, with Albert Potter and George Shelton ahead of him in the queue, Bill was destined not to play for the first-team and duly moved on to sign for Mid Rhondda United of the Southern League.

Returning once more to the North East, he found employment in the coal mining industry and was to die on 28 June 1934 in an accident at Shilbottle Colliery. Bill is remembered on the Amble and District Mining Memorial.