Alex Cairns
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{for|similarly named people|Alexander Cairns (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Alex Cairns
| image =
| caption =
| full_name = Alex Thomas Cairns{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/general-news/efl-squad-numbering-06.09.2019.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Fleetwood Town |publisher=English Football League |page=27 |accessdate=19 October 2019}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|1|4|df=y}}
| birth_place = Doncaster, England
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}{{cite book|editor1-first=Glenda|editor1-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack|editor2-last=Rollin|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013|year=2012|publisher=Headline|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8|page=482|edition=43rd}}
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub = Leeds United
| clubnumber = 21
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2011
| youthclubs1 = Leeds United
| years1 = 2011–2015
| clubs1 = Leeds United
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2012
| clubs2 = → Barrow (loan)
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2012–2013
| clubs3 = → Stalybridge Celtic (loan)
| caps3 = 38
| goals3 = 0
| clubs4 = Chesterfield
| caps4 = 0
| goals4 = 0
| years4 = 2015–2016
| clubs5 = Rotherham United
| caps5 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| years5 = 2016
| clubs6 = Fleetwood Town
| caps6 = 209
| goals6 = 0
| years6 = 2016–2023
| years7 = 2022
| clubs7 = → Hartlepool United (loan)
| caps7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2023
| clubs8 = → Salford City (loan)
| caps8 = 23
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2023–2024
| clubs9 = Salford City
| caps9 = 46
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2024–
| clubs10 = Leeds United
| caps10 = 0
| goals10 = 0
| club-update = 15:54, 5 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Alex Thomas Cairns (born 4 January 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for {{English football updater|LeedsUni}} club Leeds United.
Career
=Breaking through=
Cairns began his career in the Leeds United youth academy and turned professional with the club at the end of the 2010–11 season by signing a one-year contract along with fellow youth players and twins Nathan and Lewis Turner.{{cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110509/academy-trio-offered-pro-deals_2247585_23563881| title = ACADEMY TRIO OFFERED PRO DEALS| publisher = LUFC| date = 9 May 2011}} The following season would see Cairns join the senior team as cover for Paul Rachubka after first choice goalkeeper Andy Lonergan sustained a finger injury. Rachubka's time in the side was marked by a series of errors; three of which would come in the first half of a league match against his former club Blackpool. With Leeds 3–0 down at half time, Cairns replaced him for the second half, conceding twice as Blackpool won 5–0.{{cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20111102/blackpool-live_2247585_2503551| title = Leeds Vs Blackpool| publisher = LUFC| date = 2 November 2011}}
Following the Blackpool game, manager Simon Grayson expressed his doubts as to whether Cairns was ready to take on the responsibility of starting in the first-team for the remaining period of Lonergan's absence.{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/leeds-united/8866505/Leeds-United-manager-Simon-Grayson-ponders-loan-move-after-Paul-Rachubkas-nightmare-in-5-0-loss-to-Blackpool.html| title = Leeds United manager Simon Grayson ponders loan move after Paul Rachubka's nightmare in 5–0 loss to Blackpool| work = The Daily Telegraph| date = 3 November 2011}} Prior to the next match against Leicester City, Grayson brought in young Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy on an emergency loan.{{cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20111104/mccarthy-starts-odea-set-to-miss-out_2247585_2506041| title = McCARTHY STARTS, O'DEA SET TO MISS OUT| publisher = LUFC| date = 4 November 2011}} Nevertheless, Cairns was promoted ahead of Rachubka and retained his position on the bench for the following weeks until Grayson signed veteran goalkeeper Maik Taylor on a short-term basis to act as cover.{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15510770| title = BBC Sport – Leicester 0–1 Leeds| publisher = BBC| date = 6 November 2011}}{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/9646810.stm| title = Leeds United bring in goalkeeper Maik Taylor| publisher = BBC| date = 24 November 2011}}
Cairns signed a new two-year deal at the club on 19 January.{{cite news | url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20120119/the-futures-all-white-for-young-alex_2247585_2581735| title = ]THE FUTURE'S ALL-WHITE FOR YOUNG ALEX| publisher = LUFC| date = 19 January 2012}} At the end of the January transfer window, Cairns joined Conference National side Barrow on a one-month loan.{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16815097| title = ]Barrow sign Leeds United goalkeeper Alex Cairns| publisher = BBC| date = 31 January 2012}} Cairns failed to play a game for Barrow after being an unused substitute in several games and returned to Leeds on 2 March after his loan at Barrow expired.{{cite news| url = http://www.barrowafc.com/news/?article=1053| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130117132155/http://www.barrowafc.com/news/?article=1053| url-status = dead| archive-date = 17 January 2013| title = ] Barrow Sign Back-Up Keeper| publisher = barrowafc.com| date = 2 March 2012}} He made no further appearances in the first-team squad at Leeds for the remainder of the season as new manager Neil Warnock favoured five outfield players on the bench.
=Stalybridge Celtic loan=
After falling down the pecking order at Leeds following the signings of two new goalkeepers, Cairns joined Conference North side Stalybridge Celtic on a month-long loan after first-choice goalkeeper Andy Ralph suffered a suspected broken leg in the Badgers' opening game of the season.{{cite news| url = http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=7771| title = Stalybridge Take Leeds Keeper on Loan| publisher = Football Conference| date = 21 August 2012| access-date = 29 August 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150529195811/http://www.footballconference.co.uk/news/details.php?news_id=7771| archive-date = 29 May 2015| url-status = dead}} He made his debut for the club at their Bower Field ground in a 1–1 draw against Gainsborough Trinity and kept his first clean sheet later that week in a 0–0 stalemate against Droylsden.{{cite news | url = http://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/report.php?fixid=11527| title = Stalybridge Celtic 1–1 Gainsborough Trinity| publisher = Stalybridge Celtic| date = 21 August 2012}}{{cite news | url = http://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/report.php?fixid=11538| title = Stalybridge Celtic 0–0 Droylsden| publisher = Stalybridge Celtic| date = 21 August 2012}} He featured for Celtic in a 2–1 friendly victory over a Manchester United XI which included Darren Fletcher and Alexander Büttner on 11 September. He remained an ever-present for the club since arriving until he was substituted in an early-round FA Cup match on 22 September versus Vauxhall Motors after sustaining a dead-leg following a collision with an opposing player.{{cite news | url = http://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/report.php?fixid=11971| title = Stalybridge Celtic 0–0 Droylsden| publisher = Stalybridge Celtic| date = 22 September 2012}} His loan spell was extended until the end of November during which he reached the final qualifying round of the FA Cup with the Badgers before succumbing to Conference National side Stockport County in a 3–5 defeat at Edgeley Park.{{cite news | url = http://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/report.php?fixid=11973 | title = Celtic put up a spirited fight, but County were just too strong | publisher = Stalybridge Celtic| date = 22 October 2012}}
At Stalybridge Celtic's end of season awards on 27 April 2013, Cairns won the Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Supporters' Player of the Year awards.{{cite news | url = http://www.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/newsdisplay.php?item=1535| title = April 27th, 2013 – Player of the Year Award Winners | publisher = Stalybridge Celtic| date = 27 April 2013}}
=Return to Leeds United=
After an injury to Jamie Ashdown for the final home game of the season, Cairns was recalled to Leeds on 26 April 2013, and was named on the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion on 27 April.
Following an injury to Jamie Ashdown during the following pre-season, Cairns was promoted to second choice goalkeeper, providing backup for Paddy Kenny and then loan goalkeeper Jack Butland. He remained the second choice at Leeds even after Kenny's return from injury.{{Cite news|url=http://www.teamtalk.com/leeds-united/9282176/Leeds-goalkeeper-Paddy-Kenny-s-agents-speak-out-over-absence-from-squad|title=Kenny 'fit for selection'|accessdate=25 April 2014|publisher=Teamtalk|date=25 April 2014}} On 16 May 2014, Cairns extended his contract with Leeds by a further year.
On 13 May 2015, Cairns was released by Leeds United after his contract expired.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32720050|title=Leeds United release midfielder|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 May 2015|accessdate=16 May 2015}}{{Cite web
| url = http://www.leedsunited.com/news/article/8vnxct5efa2m1vcq9ks3km08f/title/retained-list---summer-2015
| title = Austin Released by Leeds United
| publisher = Leeds United
| date = 13 May 2015
| accessdate = 16 May 2015
}}
=Chesterfield=
On 29 July 2015, Cairns signed a six-month contract at Chesterfield.{{cite web|url=http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/article/spireites-to-sign-keeper-2577909.aspx|title=Spireites to sign keeper|publisher=Chesterfield FC|date=29 July 2015|accessdate=30 July 2015|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305151828/http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/article/spireites-to-sign-keeper-2577909.aspx|url-status=dead}} He left the club on 7 January 2016 after his contract expired, having made no appearances.{{cite web|url=http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/article/keeper-departs-2888314.aspx|title=Keeper departs|publisher=Chesterfield FC|date=7 January 2016}}
=Rotherham United=
The day after his release from Chesterfield, Cairns signed a contract with Rotherham United until the end of the season. The move reunited him with Rotherham manager Neil Redfearn, who had previously been his academy manager at Leeds United.
=Fleetwood Town=
In July 2016, Cairns signed for League One club Fleetwood Town, where he went on to establish himself in the first team.{{Cite news|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/fleetwood-town-fc/fleetwood-keeper-cairns-to-realise-his-number-one-dream-1-9236921|title=Fleetwood keeper Cairns to realise his number one dream|access-date=26 July 2018|language=en}} He played a total of 81 games in his first two seasons at the club, keeping 34 clean sheets.{{Cite news|url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2018/july/our-new-number-one-alex-cairns/|title=Our new number one: Alex Cairns|access-date=26 July 2018|language=en-gb}} On 26 November 2022, Cairns joined League Two side Hartlepool United on a seven-day emergency loan deal.{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2022/november/pools-sign-emergency-loan-goalkeeper/ |title=Pools Sign Alex Cairns |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |date=26 November 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022}} On 4 January 2023, Cairns joined League Two side Salford City on loan for the remainder of the 2022–23 season.{{Cite web |url= https://salfordcityfc.co.uk/loan-agreed-for-cairns-040123/ |title=Loan agreed for goalkeeper Alex Cairns |publisher=Salford City FC |date=4 January 2022 |accessdate=4 January 2022}}
=Salford City=
On 23 June 2023, Cairns signed a permanent deal with Salford City.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66003503 |title=Alex Cairns: Salford City sign goalkeeper from Fleetwood Town following loan spell |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 June 2023 |accessdate=2 August 2023}}
=Leeds United=
On 8 July 2024, Cairns rejoined Leeds United on a permanent deal.{{cite news|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/en/news/alex-cairns-signs-for-leeds-united |title=Alex Cairns Signs for Leeds United| publisher=Leeds United FC |date=8 July 2024 |accessdate=8 July 2024}}
Personal life
In November 2014, Cairns' 16-year-old brother Blake was killed in a two car collision in Conisbrough alongside four other teenagers, three of whom attended Danum Academy Sixth Form with the other having previously attended the Sixth Form. His funeral was attended by Cairns and several members of the Leeds first-team squad.{{Cite news|url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/leeds-united-players-support-family-of-tragic-blake-cairns-1-6978616|title=Leeds United players support family of tragic Blake Cairns|accessdate=6 April 2015|work=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=28 November 2014}}
Career statistics
{{updated|27 April 2024}}{{soccerbase|60919}}
Leeds United
- EFL Championship: 2024–25{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=2108 |title=Championship: 2024/25: Current table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=3 May 2025}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1524&teamTabs=stats&season_id=157 |title=Leeds: Squad details: 2024/25 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=3 May 2025}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Leeds United F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cairns, Alex}}
Category:Footballers from Doncaster
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Leeds United F.C. players
Category:Barrow A.F.C. players
Category:Stalybridge Celtic F.C. players
Category:Chesterfield F.C. players
Category:Rotherham United F.C. players
Category:Fleetwood Town F.C. players
Category:Hartlepool United F.C. players
Category:Salford City F.C. players
Category:English Football League players