A play that tells the moving story of the life of an English footballing great will be performed twice at the Salford Art's Theatre.
The Third Degree will tell the tale of hero Laurie Cunningham, who made his name plying his trade for West Bromwich Albion.
Inspired by Cunningham's eccentric nature, and the clublife culture of the 1970s, the play will incorporate funk, soul and blues music.
Social and political speeches from the era will also be featured, to reflect the tense racial climate that Laurie and other black players had to play under.
The name of the play - The Three Degrees - is taken from the nickname given to Cunningham, Cyril Regis and Brendan Batson, the three exciting black players who played for West Brom and were likened to the popular American soul group of the time.
Commissioned by sports charity Kick it Out, the play is being held in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Cunningham's historic debut for Real Madrid.
Laurie was the first Englishman to play overseas for the Los Blancos and the second black player to represent England.
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Written by award winning playwright Dougie Blaxland, the drama will detail how Laurie rose to prominence with West Brom in the late 1970s before moving to Spain.
It isn't just his mercurial talent that helped West Brom dismantle Manchester United during a 5-3 drubbing at Old Trafford on Decemeber 30, 1978 that gives him links to Greater Manchester.
In what is now forgotten history, Laurie played for the red devils at one point in his career.
On loan from Real Madrid where he wasn't getting much game time, Cunningham made five appearances for United scoring one solitary goal.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Laurie's niece, Rhodene Cunningham said: "We are delighted that Kick it Out has commisioned this new stage play about Laurie's life.
"He was a very special man loved by us all and we hope that his pioneering story will be an inspiration to everyone who comes to see the prodcution."
Chief executive of Kick it Out, Roisin Wood said: "In an organisation committed to changing deeply embedded attitudes you cannot simply repeat the same messages in the same way year, after year.
"The commisioning of this play is an attempt to engage new audiences in our ongoing mission to combat racism in football.
"The more fans and followers of football we can encourage to see this exciting production the greater its impact will be."
The play will be co-directed by Roughhouse Theatre's joint Artistic Directors Shane Morgan and Moira Hunt wholl will be holding QnAs after performances of the play.
Tickets to the play, on November 6 and 7, can be bought here.
