Tommy Cairns
Encyclopedia
Tommy Cairns was a Scottish
footballer who played for Bristol City
, Peebles Rovers
, St. Johnstone, Rangers
, Bradford City
and Scotland
.
Born in Merryton, Lanarkshire
, Cairns' made his name in Junior
football, helping Burnbank Athletic to the Scottish Junior Cup
in 1911. He also appeared for Larkhall Thistle
before earning an opportunity in the senior leagues. His first professional club was Bristol City where he played for two seasons from 1911. He joined Peebles Rovers in 1913 and had a short spell with St. Johnstone before joining Rangers in November 1913. He made his debut against Hamilton Academical
on 27 December 1913 and played a total of nine games in his first season as Rangers finished second to rivals Celtic
in Division One.
Cairns was a regular in the Rangers team the following season
, missing just one league game. Cairns continued to be a regular in the team for the next two seasons but it was in season 1917–18
that he won his first League title. Cairns was an ever present in Rangers' first League title for five years, and scored 11 goals.
Cairns enjoyed further League title successes in 1919–20
, 1920–21
, 1922–23
, 1923–24
, 1924–25
and 1926–27
before joining Bradford City in 1927. His final Rangers appearance was in a 2–1 win over Queen's Park
on 1 March 1927. In his time with Bradford, he made 135 appearances and won a Division Three North medal in 1929. He retired from football in 1932 and later worked as a scout for Arsenal
.
Cairns was also capped at international level, making eight Scotland appearances. He made his international debut in a British Home Championship
match against Wales
on 26 February 1920 and he scored in a 1–1 draw. During his international career, he was never on the losing team, winning six games and drawing two. His final international appearance was on 4 April 1925 in a 2–0 win over England
at Hampden Park
. Cairns also represented the Scottish League XI
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
footballer who played for Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, Peebles Rovers
Peebles Rovers F.C.
Peebles Rovers Football Club is a Scottish football club based in Peebles, Scottish Borders. The club name was resurrected in 2010 after playing since 2006 as Peebles Football Club...
, St. Johnstone, Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
and Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
.
Born in Merryton, Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
, Cairns' made his name in Junior
Scottish Junior Football Association
The Scottish Junior Football Association is an affiliated national association of the Scottish Football Association and is the governing body for the Junior grade of football in Scotland. The term "Junior" refers to the level of football played...
football, helping Burnbank Athletic to the Scottish Junior Cup
Scottish Junior Cup
The Scottish Junior Cup, known as The Emirates Junior Cup for sponsorship reasons, is an annual football competition organised by the Scottish Junior Football Association for all its member clubs. The competition has been held every year since the inception of the SJFA in 1886 and as of the...
in 1911. He also appeared for Larkhall Thistle
Larkhall Thistle F.C.
Larkhall Thistle F.C. are a football club from Larkhall, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Formed in 1878 the Jags are Scotland's oldest Junior Football Club and currently compete in the SJFA Central Division One. They play in red and white stripes and their home ground since 1881 is Gasworks Park...
before earning an opportunity in the senior leagues. His first professional club was Bristol City where he played for two seasons from 1911. He joined Peebles Rovers in 1913 and had a short spell with St. Johnstone before joining Rangers in November 1913. He made his debut against Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
on 27 December 1913 and played a total of nine games in his first season as Rangers finished second to rivals Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
in Division One.
Cairns was a regular in the Rangers team the following season
1914-15 in Scottish football
The 1914–15 season was the 25th season of competitive football in Scotland. The addition of Lochgelly United and Clydebank meant that there were fourteen teams in Division Two.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic...
, missing just one league game. Cairns continued to be a regular in the team for the next two seasons but it was in season 1917–18
1917-18 in Scottish football
The 1917–18 season was the 28th season of competitive football in Scotland. Division One was decreased from 20 to 18 clubs. Clydebank made their first appearance in the Scottish Football League.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Rangers...
that he won his first League title. Cairns was an ever present in Rangers' first League title for five years, and scored 11 goals.
Cairns enjoyed further League title successes in 1919–20
1919-20 in Scottish football
The 1919–20 season was the 30th season of competitive football in Scotland. The number of teams in the Scottish League was increased from 18 to 22...
, 1920–21
1920-21 in Scottish football
The 1920–21 season was the 31st season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Rangers-Scottish Cup:Partick Thistle were winners of the Scottish Cup after a 1–0 final win over Rangers....
, 1922–23
1922-23 in Scottish football
The 1922–23 season was the 33rd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: RangersRelegated: Albion Rovers, Alloa Athletic-Scottish League Division Two:...
, 1923–24
1923-24 in Scottish football
The 1923–24 season was the 34th season of competitive football in Scotland. A Third Division was introduced adding to Division One and Division Two.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: RangersRelegated: Clyde, Clydebank...
, 1924–25
1924-25 in Scottish football
The 1924–25 season was the 35th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: RangersRelegated: Ayr United, Third Lanark-Scottish League Division Two:...
and 1926–27
1926-27 in Scottish football
The 1926–27 season was the 37th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: RangersRelegated: Greenock Morton, Dundee United-Scottish League Division Two:...
before joining Bradford City in 1927. His final Rangers appearance was in a 2–1 win over Queen's Park
Queen's Park F.C.
Queen's Park Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland. The club are currently the only amateur club in the Scottish League; their amateur status is reflected by their motto, Ludere Causa Ludendi – to play for the sake of playing.Queen's Park are the oldest...
on 1 March 1927. In his time with Bradford, he made 135 appearances and won a Division Three North medal in 1929. He retired from football in 1932 and later worked as a scout for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
.
Cairns was also capped at international level, making eight Scotland appearances. He made his international debut in a British Home Championship
British Home Championship
The British Home Championship was an annual football competition contested between the United Kingdom's four national teams, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from the 1883–84 season until the 1983–84...
match against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on 26 February 1920 and he scored in a 1–1 draw. During his international career, he was never on the losing team, winning six games and drawing two. His final international appearance was on 4 April 1925 in a 2–0 win over England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
. Cairns also represented the Scottish League XI
Scottish League XI
The Scottish League XI is a representative side of the Scottish Football League. The team regularly played against the Football League and other national league select teams between 1892 and 1980. For a long period the annual fixture between the English and Scottish leagues was only second in...
.