William Cunliffe (1897 – 10 August 1942) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s.

He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Pemberton Rovers ARLFC (in Pemberton, Lancashire), and Warrington, as a prop.

[3] Cunliffe is a Warrington Wolves Hall of Fame inductee.

Cunliffe played at prop in Warrington's 10-22 defeat by Wigan in the Championship Final during the 1925–26 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Saturday 8 May 1926, in front of a crowd of 20,000.

[6][7] Cunliffe played at prop in Warrington's 3-5 defeat by Swinton in the 1927–28 Challenge Cup Final during the 1927–28 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 14 April 1928, in front of a crowd of 33,909.