Greg Cunningham

Gregory Richard Cunningham (born 31 January 1991) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a left back for Preston North End, on loan from Championship club Cardiff City and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Greg Cunningham

Cunningham with Preston North End in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Gregory Richard Cunningham[1]
Date of birth	31 January 1991[2]
Place of birth	Galway, Ireland
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[3]
Position(s)	Left back, centre back
Club information
Current team	Preston North End (on loan from Cardiff City)
Number	37
Youth career
	Cregmore/Claregalway F.C
2004–2007	Mervue United
2007–2010	Manchester City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2010–2012	Manchester City	2	(0)
2010–2011	→ Leicester City (loan)	13	(0)
2011–2012	→ Nottingham Forest (loan)	27	(0)
2012–2015	Bristol City	91	(4)
2015–2018	Preston North End	103	(4)
2018–	Cardiff City	12	(0)
2019–2020	→ Blackburn Rovers (loan)	8	(0)
2021–	→ Preston North End (loan)	1	(0)
National team^‡
2007–2008	Republic of Ireland U17	13	(3)
2009	Republic of Ireland U19	9	(0)
2011–2012	Republic of Ireland U21	6	(1)
2010–	Republic of Ireland	4	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:17, 28 January 2021 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12:54, 18 May 2015 (UTC)

Club career

Manchester City

Cunningham playing for Manchester City Reserves in 2010

Born in Galway, County Galway,[2] Cunningham began his career with Cregmore FC. In 2004, he joined Mervue United before earning a contract in the Manchester City Academy. Cunningham made his first team debut for Manchester City as a 46th minute substitute in a 4–2 victory over Scunthorpe United in the FA Cup on 24 January 2010 where he played on the left side of the City defence.[4]

Cunningham made his first Premier League appearance on 11 April 2010 against Birmingham City as a substitute for Adam Johnson in the final minutes of the game.[5] He made his second Premier League appearance on 9 May 2010 against West Ham United as a substitute for Johnson, just two minutes of the final minutes of the game.[6] On 26 August 2010, Cunningham made his European debut in Europa League Qualifiers Second Leg against Politehnica Timișoara, coming on as a 54th-minute substitute for Nigel de Jong in a 2–0 win. On 22 September 2010, he made his first start for the club and played 90 minutes in a 2–1 loss against West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup.

Leicester City (loan)

On 21 October 2010, Cunningham joined Championship side Leicester City on loan until January 2011.[7] On 23 October 2010, he made his debut for the club in a 2–0 loss against Swansea City where he played the full 90 minutes. He became a regular left-back in the starting eleven and made 12 starts. On 1 January 2011, Cunningham fractured his tibia in a challenge with Hull City's Liam Rosenior. Rosenior was sent off and Cunningham had to be substituted in a 1–0 win for Leicester and he was ruled out of action for up to four months, which ended his loan spell at Leicester City.[8] After the match, Sven-Göran Eriksson stated his injury was 'a complete accident' and said:

"To be fair, there was absolutely no intention from Liam Rosenior and it was just a very unfortunate incident. Our physio team worked immediately on the injury, comforted Greg and they were superb. However, the good start to the New Year is also a bad start for us as we have lost Greg Cunningham to a broken leg."[9]

Nottingham Forest (loan)

On 25 October 2011, Cunningham joined Championship side Nottingham Forest on loan until 31 December after an injury crisis at the club left them desperately on short defensive options.[10][11] After his move to Nottingham Forest, he said he expected to make an impact for the club and was looking forward to playing regularly for the club[12] Nottingham Forest duo Lee Camp and Ishmael Miller agreed with Cunningham's expectations.[13] On 29 October 2011, Cunningham made his debut for the club in a 1–0 loss against Hull City before being substituted early in the second-half. On 1 November 2011, he played 90 minutes in a 1–0 win over Reading. Since making his debut, he became a regular in the starting eleven, playing at left back.

On 29 December, Cunningham's loan was extended until the end of the season.[14][15] After his loan was extended, manager Steve Cotterill said he would want to sign Cunningham on a permanent basis, only if the money could be found in the near future.[16] After his loan spell ended, Cotterill praised Cunningham (among the loan signing) for helping the club pull away from the relegation zone and stay in the Championship next season.[17]

Bristol City

The following season, Cunningham told BBC Sport he intended to leave Manchester City to further his career.[18] On 5 July 2012, he signed a four-year contract at Bristol City, for an undisclosed fee.[19]

Cunningham made his debut on the opening game of the season, in a 1–0 loss against Nottingham Forest. Then, in a 2–1 win over Peterborough United, on 18 September 2012, he received a heavy tackle from Tyrone Barnett after Barnett made a reckless challenge on him, which resulted in Cunningham being stretched off and Barnett being booked. After the match, Derek McInnes stated his belief that Barnett should have been sent-off for the challenge[20] Cunningham was ruled out for two months after rupturing his tendon.[21] In mid-December, he recovered from the injury and made his return in a 2–0 loss against Derby County on 15 December 2012.[22] On 29 January 2013, he scored his first goal for Bristol City against Watford, a cross that had looped over Manuel Almunia and found its way into the back of the net.[23] Since his recovery from injury, Cunningham continued to retain his first team place in the left-back position, though sometimes plays in the left-midfield, but unfortunately, the club was relegated to League One.

Preston North End

Bristol City gave Cunningham permission to speak to Preston North End after accepting an undisclosed bid, he spent the weekend with Preston in Scotland at a training camp before the deal was completed on 27 July 2015.[24]

Cunningham became Preston's established left-back under Simon Grayson scoring four goals including a late winner at former club Bristol City in January 2016.

On 24 July 2017, Cunningham was appointed captain of Preston until such a time as Tom Clarke became fit again.[25]

He continued to impress as Preston became an established Championship side and started to knock on the door of the playoffs and as such Cunningham began to attract the attention of other Championship and Premiership sides.

Cardiff City

With Preston unable to find the consistency to mount a sustained challenge on the playoffs Cunningham joined Cardiff City on 13 June 2018, for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £4 million signing a three-year contract.[26]

However since signing Cunningham has found his opportunities at Cardiff limited playing only seven times as the club were relegated from the Premier League.

Blackburn Rovers (loan)

Despite relegation to the Championship Cunningham was still unable to break into the Cardiff starting XI and on 8 August 2019 Cunningham joined Blackburn Rovers on loan until the end of the season.[27] In October, he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the season. He remained with Blackburn until January, when his loan deal was terminated due to the injury.[28]

Preston North End (loan)

On 28 January 2021, Cunningham rejoined Preston North End on loan for the remainder of the 2020-21 season.[29]

International career

Cunningham with the Republic of Ireland in 2013

Cunningham had been capped by the Republic of Ireland at youth level before being called up to the senior international squad by manager Giovanni Trapattoni on 22 February 2010 for a friendly against Brazil.[2][30] On 28 May 2010, he made his debut for Ireland in a 3–0 win against Algeria at the RDS.[31][32]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 19 December 2020

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Manchester City	2009–10[33]	Premier League	2	0	1	0	0	0	—		3	0
	2010–11[34]	Premier League	0	0	0	0	1	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	2	0
	Total		2	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	5	0
Leicester City (loan)	2010–11[34]	Championship	13	0	—		—		—		13	0
Nottingham Forest (loan)	2011–12[35]	Championship	27	0	1	0	—		—		28	0
Bristol City	2012–13[36]	Championship	30	1	1	0	0	0	—		31	1
	2013–14[37]	League One	37	1	4	0	2	0	1[lower-alpha 2]	0	44	1
	2014–15[38]	League One	24	2	3	1	0	0	5[lower-alpha 2]	0	32	3
	Total		131	4	9	1	2	0	6	0	148	5
Preston North End	2015–16[39]	Championship	43	2	1	0	2	0	—		46	2
	2016-17[40]	Championship	40	1	1	0	3	0	0	0	44	1
	2017-18[41]	Championship	20	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	21	1
	Total		103	4	3	0	5	0	0	0	111	4
Cardiff City	2018–19[42]	Premier League	7	0	0	0	1	0	—		8	0
	2019–20[43]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2020–21[44]	Championship	5	0	0	0	1	0	—		6	0
	Total		12	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	14	0
Career total			248	8	13	1	10	0	7	0	278	9

1. Appearance in UEFA Europa League
2. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy

International

As of match played 6 February 2013.[45]

Appearances and goals by national team and year

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Republic of Ireland	2010	3	0
	2013	1	0
Total		4	0

Honours

Bristol City

• Football League Trophy: 2014–15[38]

References

1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Cardiff City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 17. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
2. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
3. "Gregory Cunningham". ESPN FC. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
4. Lyon, Sam (24 January 2010). "Scunthorpe 2 – 4 Man City". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
5. Bevan, Chris (11 April 2010). "Man City 5 – 1 Birmingham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 April 2010.
6. "West Ham 1 – 1 Man City". BBC Sport. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
7. "Foxes Sign Man City's Cunningham". lcfc.com. Leicester City F.C. 21 October 2010. Archived from the original on 25 October 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
8. "Greg Cunningham out for four months with broken leg". This is Leicestershire. 3 January 2011. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
9. "Foxes in Cunningham blow". Sky Sports. 1 January 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
10. Oscroft, Tim (25 October 2011). "Manchester City's Greg Cunningham loaned to Nottingham Forest". mcfc.co.uk. Manchester City F.C. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
11. "Cunningham Checks In". nottinghamforest.co.uk. Nottingham Forest F.C. 25 October 2011. Archived from the original on 28 October 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
12. "Cunningham raring to go". Sky Sports. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
13. "Forest boosted by signing". Sky Sports. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
14. "Reds Strike Deal For Greg". nottinghamforest.co.uk. Nottingham Forest F.C. 29 December 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
15. "Reds extend Cunningham loan". Sky Sports. British Sky Broadcasting. 29 December 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
16. "Cunningham continues to impress". Sky Sports. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
17. "Cotterill praises loan impact". Sky Sports. 4 April 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
18. "Greg Cunningham ready for Manchester City exit". BBC Sport. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
19. "Manchester City defender Greg Cunningham joins Bristol City". BBC Sport. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
20. "Bristol City manager Derek McInnes bemoans 'reckless' tackles". BBC Sport. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
21. "Greg Cunningham: Bristol City defender out for two months". BBC Sport. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
22. "Greg Cunningham could make Bristol City return this weekend". Bristol Post. 13 December 2012. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
23. "Bristol City 2–0 Watford". BBC Sport. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
24. "Preston Close to Cunningham Signing". BBC Sport. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
25. "Greg Named Stand-In Captain". Preston North End FC. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
26. "Greg Cunningham: Cardiff City sign Preston North End defender". BBC Sport. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
27. "Cunningham completes Rovers switch". Blackburn Rovers Official Site. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
28. Sharpe, Rich (10 January 2020). "Loanee leaving Rovers 'a business decision' says Mowbray". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
29. "Greg Cunningham returns on loan". Preston North End FC. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
30. "Trapattoni names 23-man squad for Brazil". RTÉ Sport. 22 February 2010. Archived from the original on 24 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
31. "Greg Cunningham set to make Ireland debut". RTÉ Sport. 27 May 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
32. "Rep of Ireland 3–0 Algeria". BBC Sport. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
33. "Games played by Greg Cunningham in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
34. "Games played by Greg Cunningham in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
35. "Games played by Greg Cunningham in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
36. "Games played by Greg Cunningham in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
37. "Games played by Greg Cunningham in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
38. "Games played by Greg Cunningham in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
39. "Games played by Greg Cunningham in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
40. "Games played by Greg Cunningham in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
41. "Games played by Greg Cunningham in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
42. "Games played by Greg Cunningham in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
43. "Games played by Greg Cunningham in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
44. "Games played by Greg Cunningham in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
45. "Greg Cunningham". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 3 January 2014.

External links

• Greg Cunningham at Soccerbase
• Republic of Ireland U17 profile at Soccer Scene
• Republic of Ireland U19 profile at Soccer Scene