William Cunningham was born in Radcliffe, Lancashire, on the 27th October 1899.

Before joining Exeter City in the Summer of 1925, as a professional, he had spent the last two seasons as an wing half and understudy to Bromilow at Anfield, playing three games for Liverpool. He made his debut Liverpool debut on the 12th of March 1921, against Middlesborough.


William played for the reserves at Exeter in the Southern and Western leagues in 1925/26, making his debut for City in the final practice game on Wedenesday 26th August 1925, in front of 3500 fans, and his Southern League debut 4 days later  at home to Ebbw Vale.

He also played for Blyth Spartans, Barrow and Mid-Rhondda.

He died on the 28th June 1934 while working at Shilbottle Colliery, Northumberland.

Nottingham Evening Post, of 29th June 1934 wrote the following. 

“William Cunningham, a miner, and former Liverpool professional footballer, was killed while working in Shilbottle Colliery, Northumberland.”

He is remembered in The Amble and District Mining Memorial.