Rayo Vallecano fans pay tribute to Laurie Cunningham to mark what would have been former Real Madrid star's 60th birthday

Rayo Vallecano fans unfurled a huge banner on Saturday to pay tribute to former England star Laurie Cunningham, who would have celebrated his 60th birthday last Tuesday.

Cunningham, who became the second black England player after Viv Anderson in 1979, was still at the club when he died in a car crash at the age of 33 in July 1989.

The banner was unveiled during the club's 1-1 draw with Eibar and depicts Cunningham alongside Diego Maradona's brother Hugo, who also signed for Rayo in 1988.

Rayo Vallecano fans paid tribute to Laurie Cunningham when they unfurled a huge banner on Saturday

Left-winger Cunningham became the second ever black England player after Viv Anderson in 1979

Cunningham had two spells at Rayo Vallecano and remains the image of the fight against racism at the club, as well as an important cultural figure within the game.

Born in Archway, London, he began his career at Leyton Orient in 1974 before making his name under Ron Atkinson at West Brom.

The left winger formed a lethal partnership with Cyrille Regis and Brendon Batson at The Hawthorns, a trio that was collectively refereed to as 'The Three Degrees'.

His form attracted the attention of then England boss Ron Greenwood, who handed him his first full-cap in a Home International against Wales in 1979.

After three seasons at West Brom he made an historic move as the first British player to join Real Madrid, in a deal worth £950,000.

Cunningham scored twice on his debut and won the league and cup double in his first season, but missed out on the England squad for Euro 1980.

He figured in the 1981 European Cup final, where Real lost 1-0 to Liverpool.

Atkinson was reunited with Cunningham when he joined him at Manchester United on loan in 1983. 

Throughout his 15-year career he played for 10 different clubs and in four different countries - England, Spain, France and Belgium.

Cunningham, who would have turned 60 on Tuesday, started his 15-year playing career at Leyton Orient

He was the first British footballer at Real Madrid and figured in the 1981 European Cup final against Liverpool

Cunningham, pictured with his mother Mavis and father Elias, died in a car crash at the age of 33 in 1989

Cunningham made a name for himself when he played under Ron Atkinson at West Brom between 1977-79

Cunningham played in four different countries during his 15-year playing career including France and Belgium

Cunningham would have celebrated his 60th birthday last Tuesday and is well remembered by Rayo fans