A blue plaque to honour Leyton Orient legend Laurie Cunningham has been unveiled, as part of a new English Heritage initiative to recognise more black and Asian figures.

The plaque was unveiled today (Wednesday September 21), at Mr Cunningham’s childhood home in Stroud Green, Haringey, where he was first spotted by Orient scouts as a youngster.

He becomes only the second footballer ever to be awarded a blue plaque, after the same honour was bestowed on England’s World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore earlier this year.

English Heritage has now established a task group, to help recognise the historical importance of more members of the capital’s black and Asian communities.

Just four per cent of the 900 blue plaques on buildings across London commemorate black or Asian figures from history.

English Heritage curatorial director, Anna Eavis, said: "Since 1866 when the blue plaques scheme was established, our idea of which figures from the past are significant has changed.

"Today we are honouring an incredibly gifted footballer who paved the way for many other black players.

"But there are many others of national importance within the black community who have not been nominated for plaques.”

“We have established this group to help get their names and stories in front of our panel and ensure that their achievements are considered for recognition.”

Mr Cunningham made his debut for Leyton Orient in 1974, before going on to play for West Bromwich Albion, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Marseilles.

In 1979, aged 23, he became the first black footballer to be capped by England in a competitive match.

Tragically, the talented winger was killed in a car crash in Madrid in 1989, aged just 33. He had been playing for Spanish club Rayo Vallecano at the time of his death.

Earlier this year, Waltham Forest council and Kick It Out announced plans to fundraise for a statue of Mr Cunningham in Coronation Gardens, near Orient’s Brisbane Road Stadium.