On this day in 1929, Newcastle United’s Andy Cunningham, aged 38 years and two days, became the oldest player to make his Football League debut as the Magpies hosted Leicester City.
Born in Galston, Ayrshire, Cunningham began his professional career with Kilmarnock where he spent six seasons before moving to Rangers in 1915. The Scotsman eventually established himself as a key player for the Glaswegians, scoring 182 goals in 389 appearances for the club and winning seven league titles in the process.
He joined Newcastle in 1928 before becoming player-manager in 1930. Cunningham guided the Magpies to a historic FA Cup triumph beating Arsenal 2-1 in the final in 1932.