James Cunningham announces retirement
James Cunningham announces retirement
Former London Broncos hooker James Cunningham has announced his retirement from professional Rugby League at the age of 30.
Cunningham played for London Broncos across two spells but most notably between 2015 and 2019 playing 121 times and scoring 33 tries.
Born in Hull, Cunningham would start his career with Hull FC before moving to London in 2015 in a period which would be his longest and most successful as a player.
After leaving London, Cunningham would go on to play for Toronto Wolfpack, Toulouse Olympique, Huddersfield Giants and York Knights.
After struggling with injuries in recent years, Cunningham said the following on his instagram account announcing his retirement;
“25 years after my first training session, I’ve finally hung up my boots.
“Grateful for all that the game has brought me, a career, great pals and memories. I couldn’t have done it without my family, especially my mam and dad, I know it’s cliché, but thanks for all the early Sunday morning support and for never letting me miss a training session.
“Thanks for being my biggest fans, my biggest critics and putting up with my s**t over the years, I couldn’t have carried on playing for all those years, after all of those injuries and hardships, if it wasn’t for you.
“And thanks to my beautiful wife Maria, you support me unconditionally every day and I count myself the luckiest man in the world that I get to spend the rest of my life with you and this family that we’ve made together.
“You taught me so much over the past few years and the most relevant thing from this post is you’ve taught me that retirement from professional sport isn’t the end, for us it’s just the beginning and we’ve got our best years ahead of us.”
Watch James Cunningham score for London Broncos in a famous win over St Helens at Ealing Trailfinders.
London Broncos would like to thank James for his service and wish him all the best in retirement.
#WeAreLondon
