Paul Cunningham (footballer)

Paul Cunningham

Personal information
Full name	Paul David Cunningham
Date of birth	(1986-06-18) 18 June 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth	New Zealand
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Kaitake FC
Youth career
2004–2008	West Virginia Mountaineers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008	Fisher Athletic
2008–2009	Sorrento
2010–2014	Balestier Khalsa	111	(15)
2015–2017	Team Taranaki
2019–	Kaitake FC
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:52, 20 September 2019 (UTC)

Paul David Cunningham (born 18 June 1986) is a New Zealand former professional soccer player who plays for Kaitake FC as a defender.

Career

West Virginia Mountaineers

Cunningham earned a soccer scholarship to West Virginia University, a Division I school in the Big East Conference, and played college soccer with the West Virginia Mountaineers, ^[1] for 4 years.

Fisher Athletic

Following the completion of his studies, Cunningham played professionally in England for Fisher Athletic.

Sorrento

He later joined Australian side Sorrento, where he played for 8 months. ^[2]

Balestier Khalsa

He moved to S.League club Balestier Khalsa for the 2010 season. ^[3]

In 2011, Cunningham was named the Balestier captain and led them to a record finish in the 2013 S.League season. Cunningham was one of five players shortlisted for Player of the Season in 2013 and eventually lost out to Korean Marquee signing Lee Kwan Woo. ^[4] Cunningham was also approached by Perth Glory FC to play for them that season but rejected after discussion with Balestier chairman, Thavaneson. ^[5]

Cunningham has stated that he wants to play for Singapore at international level. ^[6]

Following a contract dispute between Cunningham and Balestier at the end of the 2014 season, where Cunningham was only offered a 15-day extension to his contract allowing him to lead the Tigers out for the Singapore Cup final, the 5-year association between club and player ended on a sour note. Cunningham continued to train in the lead up to the final, which Balestier won, after he rejected the contract. ^[5]

Team Taranaki

In 2015, Cunningham signed for Team Taranaki, an amateur association football club based in the Taranaki region, New Zealand. Despite interest from various overseas professional clubs, he and his wife Sarah made the decision to return to Taranaki as they look forward to settling back in New Zealand. ^[7]

Later career

In September 2019 Cunningham was playing for Kaitake FC. ^[8]

Honours

Balestier Khalsa

• Singapore Cup: 2014 ^[3]
• League Cup: 2013 ^[3]

References

1. "West Virginia Mountaineers profile". Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
2. Tony Bird (28 November 2009). "Pursuit of beautiful game paying off". Stuff.co.nz.
3. Paul Cunningham at Soccerway
4. "S.League.com - Announcement of Nominees for S.League's Awards Night 2013". Archived from the original on 17 November 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
5. "Paul rips Balestier". The New Paper. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
6. "I want to play for Singapore". The New Paper. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
7. "WELCOMES NEW SIGNING PAUL CUNNINGHAM". Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
8. "TOM". TOM.