Brian 'Bucky' Cunningham (born 14 August 1952 in Adelaide, South Australia) is a former Australian rules footballer in the South Australian National Football League, playing for the Port Adelaide. Cunningham was later CEO of Port Magpies in the SANFL, and the Port Adelaide Football Club in the AFL.
Making his league debut in 1971, Cunningham played as a rover and small forward throughout his career. In 1979 Cunningham was appointed captain of the Magpies, and captained the club until 1982. Port won 3 premierships in Cunningham's 4 years as captain. Cunningham retired at the end of the 1983 season, having played 256 games for Port (kicking 428 goals) and 6 games representing South Australia.
Cunningham was appointed CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the Port Adelaide Football Club in 1992 and was part of the club's successful bid to join the AFL. In 1996 Cunningham remained the Port Adelaide Football Club's CEO in the AFL. Cunningham retired as CEO after the Power's first AFL premiership in 2004.
In 2005, Cunningham was inducted into the South Australian Football Hall of Fame.
Between his playing and CEO days, Cunningham worked as a high-school teacher. Brian was appointed Chief Executive of the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science & Technology (DFEEST) in South Australia in 2005.
Famous quotes containing the words brian and/or cunningham:
“Brian O’Linn was a gentleman born,
He lived at a time when no clothes they were worn.”
—Unknown. Brian O’Linn (l. 1–2)
“While the hollow oak our palace is,
Our heritage the sea.”
—Allan Cunningham (1784–1842)