Knights utility Cunningham to hang up his boots
YORK Knights utility James Cunningham has announced his retirement from rugby.
The 30-year-old, who scored three tries in 30 appearances for the club, revealed the decision to hang up his boots in a heartfelt message on Instagram alongside a series of photos throughout his career.
His post read: “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 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.”
Cunningham's tries this season included this effort against Batley. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) Cunningham penned a two-year deal with the Knights ahead of the 2023 season, seeing him reunite with Andrew Henderson, who he worked with at London Broncos.
He featured over 100 times for the Broncos, where he was a part of the side that won promotion to Super League in 2018, and also turned out for hometown club Hull FC, Toronto Wolfpack, Huddersfield Giants and Toulouse Olympique during his career.
The utility, who can play at hooker, half-back or loose forward, though saw his time in York hampered by injury.
His 2023 season was cut short by a concussion sustained in the Knights’ win at London in July - taking him over the limit for head injuries in a set amount of time - whilst a misdiagnosed slipped disc limited him to just a further 14 appearances this year.
Friends and former teammates have taken to the comments to send Cunningham their well-wishes.
Knights star Connor Bailey posted: "Congratulations on a great career mate," whilst fellow second-row Oli Field said: "Congrats pal, all the best."
Danny Kirmond also sent his congratulations, as did Iliess Macani and Jermaine McGillvary, who added: "It's been a pleasure" and "Congratulations on the career mate."
