Ross Cunningham Explained

Ross Cunningham
Birth Date:23 May 1998
Birth Place:Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Kelty Hearts
Clubnumber:10
Youthyears1:2009–2015
Youthclubs1:Hamilton Academical
Years1:2015–2020
Clubs1:Hamilton Academical
Caps1:21
Goals1:3
Years2:2018–2019
Clubs2:Forfar Athletic (loan)
Caps2:10
Goals2:1
Years3:2020
Clubs3:Clyde (loan)
Caps3:6
Goals3:0
Years4:2020–2023
Clubs4:Clyde
Caps4:65
Goals4:13
Years5:2023–
Clubs5:Kelty Hearts
Caps5:27
Goals5:4
Nationalyears1:2013
Nationalteam1:Scotland U15
Nationalcaps1:3
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:11:00, 6 May 2024 (UTC)

Ross Cunningham (born 23 May 1998) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Kelty Hearts.

Early life

Cunningham was born in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland.[1]

Club career

Having been with the club as a youth player for several years, Cunningham made his senior debut for Hamilton Academical on 14 May 2016.[2] He signed a new two-year contract with Accies later that month.[3]

Cunningham was loaned to Scottish League One club Forfar Athletic in September 2018.[4] He scored a goal on his debut appearance for Forfar, in a 3–1 defeat to Arbroath on 15 September. He returned to Hamilton in January 2019,[5] then suffered an ankle injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season. In June 2019 he signed a contract extension with Hamilton, until summer 2020.[6]

He scored his first goals for the club in the early-season group stage of the 2019–20 Scottish League Cup,[7] [8] then registered his first in the Scottish Premiership with a late penalty to secure a 2–1 win over Livingston.[9]

On 5 February 2020, Cunningham moved on loan to Clyde for the remainder of the season.[10]

Cunningham left Hamilton in August 2020, after 11 years with the club.[11] In September 2020 he returned to Clyde on a permanent contract.[12]

On 24 May 2023, Cunningham signed for Kelty Hearts.[13]

International career

Cunningham was selected for Scotland training squads at under-14 level in 2012,[14] and made three appearances at under-15 level in 2013.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueScottish CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hamilton Academical2015–16Scottish Premiership1000000010
2016–172010100040
2017–186010000070
2018–193000200050
2019–2093003400127
Total213206400297
Forfar Athletic (loan)2018–19Scottish League One101000000101
Clyde (loan)2019–206010000070
Clyde2020–21182304100253
2021–2220410301[15] 0254
2022–232770042213310
Total651340113318317
Kelty Hearts2023–24Scottish League One274204220356
Career total13021902195116431

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Profiles | Ross Cunningham | Team | Clyde Football Club. Official Clyde Football Club Website.
  2. Web site: Partick Thistle 2–2 Hamilton Academical. 14 May 2016. 14 May 2016. BBC Sport.
  3. Web site: Cunningham and Tierney Extend Contracts. 20 May 2016. 22 May 2016. Hamilton Academical F.C..
  4. Forfar Athletic F.C.. ForfarAthletic. 1040889185824067584. 15 September 2018. 8 October 2018. Welcome to the Loons Ross Cunningham. Great to have you on the team. ⚽️ #Loons #Forfar #FAFC.
  5. Hamilton Academical F.C.. acciesfc. 1085553447334805504. 16 January 2019. 16 January 2019. Midfielder @ross_xunningham temporary transfer at Forfar has ended, and he returns to us, added back into squad.
  6. Web site: Contract Extension News « Hamilton Academical Football Club. www.hamiltonacciesfc.co.uk.
  7. https://www.hamiltonacciesfc.co.uk/ross-cunningham-and-brian-rice-post-match-saturday/ Ross Cunningham and Brian Rice post match Saturday
  8. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hamilton-accies-kid-ross-cunningham-18806486 Hamilton Accies kid Ross Cunningham wants to be fans' new hero
  9. https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hamilton-2-1-livingston-alston-and-cunningham-help-accies-come-from-behind-to-win-1-5013488 Hamilton 2–1 Livingston: Alston and Cunningham help Accies come from behind to win
  10. Web site: LOAN SIGNING: Ross Cunningham. Clyde F.C.. 5 February 2020. 6 February 2020.
  11. Web site: Ross Cunningham Departs. 31 August 2020. Hamilton Academical Website.
  12. Web site: Clyde seal Ross Cunningham permanent switch after Hamilton Accies exit. Mark. Pirie. 4 September 2020. Daily Record.
  13. Web site: 24 May 2023 . Ross Cunningham Agrees Deal . 6 May 2024 . www.keltyhearts.co.uk.
  14. Web site: Booth names under-14 squad for training camp. . 12 July 2012. 6 October 2019.
  15. Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup