Cairns: Alexander Thomas (Alex)

2011-2015 (Player Details)

Goalkeeper

Born: Doncaster: 04-01-1993

Debut v Blackpool (h) (Substitute): 02-11-2011

Height & Weight: Unknown

After graduating through the Leeds United Academy, he signed professional forms on 26th May 2011 on a one year contract, with a further one year option. He was progressing through the Leeds teams when Andy Lonergan was injured in the 3-0 win at Doncaster Rovers on 14th October 2011 and sidelined for a couple of months with a broken hand and Cairns was called onto the substitute's bench as Paul Rachubka deputised. He played that role at Coventry City on 18th October 2011, at Peterbrough United on 22nd October 2011, at Birmingham City on 26th October 2011 and at home to Cardiff City on 30th October 2011. He took his place on the bench for the Elland Road clash with Blackpool on 2nd November 2011, but could not have predicted the nightmare that brought about his first team debut. It was Paul Rachubka that had the nightmare as he was at fault for all three goals that the Seasiders had put in the United net in the 12th, 26th and 30th minute and his confidence was shot to pieces, especially as Leeds were also reduced to ten men with Central Defender Tom Lees being sent off for handball in the 25th minute as he tried to stop a shot after a blunder by the hapless keeper. Simon Grayson had little choice other than to send on the eighteen-year-old for his debut at the start of the second half. With Leeds committed to attack it was a baptism of fire and he could not be blamed for the two goals he conceded, but showed his worth by pulling off two fine saves as the visitors poured forward on the break against the depleted United. Alex McCarthy was brought in on loan from Reading and it was he that figured between the posts on 6th November 2011 at Leicester City and at Burnley on 19th November 2011, as Cairns returned to the bench. After that Maik Taylor was taken on a short-term contract and took over the bench duties. He signed a new two year contract with Leeds in January 2012 and went on a one month's loan to Blue Square Bet Premier side Barrow, but was there for cover and returned to Leeds on 2nd March 2012 without starting a game. On 1st August 2012 he went on loan to Stalybridge Celtic until 1st January 2013. He made his debut on 21st August in a 1-1 draw at home to Gainsborough Trinity. The loan was later extended until the end of the season. He scooped the trophies with Stalybridge for the 2012-13 season winning the Stalybridge Celtic, Players and Supporters Awards for "Player of the Year". He kept a total of fourteen clean sheets in thirty-seven Conference North, three FA Cup, one F.A. Trophy and four Cheshire Senior Cup appearances. After an injury to Jamie Ashdown, Cairns was recalled to Leeds on 26th April 2013, and was named on the bench in the final home game of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion on 27th April, and at Watford on the following Saturday. With Ashdown still injured Cairns was Paddy Kenny's deputy keeper in all the pre-season games, but Ashdown had recovered to take his place in the first League game of the season on 3rd August 2013. He did not avoid injury for long and Cairns, while not displacing Paddy Kenny, was unused keeper from the sixth League game of the season to the end. The 2014-15 season saw Stuart Taylor become the deputy to Marco Silvestri and it was not until the final three games of the season that he made the bench after Taylor had deputised for Silvestri. Cairns left the club when his contract was not renewed at the end of the 2014-15 season.