 Alex Cairns (2011-)
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21 |
Alex Cairns (2011-)
Pos: Goalkeeper |
Sq No: 21 |
DOB: 04/01/1993
Apps: 1 | Goals: 0
Debut: 02/11/2011 - Blackpool (H)
Alex Cairns, born on January 4, 1993, in Doncaster, began his football journey in the Leeds United academy, working his way through the ranks as a promising young goalkeeper. Cairns' first spell at Leeds United will always be remembered for one dramatic appearance during the 2011-2012 season.
On November 2, 2011, Leeds were playing Blackpool in a Championship match when starting goalkeeper Paul Rachubka endured a nightmare first half, conceding five goals by halftime. Manager Simon Grayson made the decision to substitute Rachubka at the break, handing 18-year-old Alex Cairns his debut. Despite the difficult circumstances, Cairns acquitted himself well in the second half, keeping a clean sheet as Leeds avoided further damage in a 5-0 defeat.
Apps: 1 | Goals: 0
Debut: 02/11/2011 - Blackpool (H)
That single appearance marked Cairns' only competitive match during his first spell at the club. He would later go on to join Fleetwood Town, where he spent several years as a key player, racking up over 200 appearances and establishing himself as a reliable shot-stopper in the Football League.
In the summer of 2024, Cairns made a return to Leeds United ahead of the 2024-2025 season, providing experienced cover for Illan Meslier. With years of experience under his belt and a deep connection to the club, Cairns' return offers valuable depth to the goalkeeping department as Leeds aim to push for success in the Championship.
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Spells | |||||
| Signed From | Type | Joined | Left For | Left | ||
| Youth System | Apprentice | Jul 2011 |  |
Chesterfield | Aug 2015 | |
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Salford City | Permanent | Jul 2024 |  |
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Other Clubs |
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Barrow
Stalybridge Celtic
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Player Record | Apps | Start | (Sub) | Unused Sub | Goals |
| League | 1 | 0 | (1) | 55 | 0 | |
| FA Cup | 0 | 0 | (0) | 1 | 0 | |
| League Cup | 0 | 0 | (0) | 1 | 0 | |
| TOTAL | 1 | 0 | (1) | 57 | 0 | |
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Season by Season | Apps | Start | (Sub) | Unused Sub | Goals | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011-2012 | 1 | 0 | (1) | 6 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2012-2013 | 0 | 0 | (0) | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2013-2014 | 0 | 0 | (0) | 43 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2014-2015 | 0 | 0 | (0) | 3 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2024-2025 | 0 | 0 | (0) | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2026-2027 | 0 | 0 | (0) | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Appearances | Date | Score | Match Events |
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Blackpool Championship |
H | 02/11/2011 | 0 : 5 | L |  |
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Unused Sub | Date | Score | Match Events |
||
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Coventry City Championship |
H | 18/10/2011 | 1 : 1 | D | Unused Sub |
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Peterborough United Championship |
A | 22/10/2011 | 3 : 2 | W | Unused Sub |
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Birmingham City Championship |
A | 26/10/2011 | 0 : 1 | L | Unused Sub |
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Cardiff City Championship |
H | 30/10/2011 | 1 : 1 | D | Unused Sub |
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Leicester City Championship |
A | 06/11/2011 | 1 : 0 | W | Unused Sub |
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Burnley Championship |
A | 19/11/2011 | 2 : 1 | W | Unused Sub |
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Brighton & Hove Albion Championship |
H | 27/04/2013 | 1 : 2 | L | Unused Sub |
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Watford Championship |
A | 04/05/2013 | 2 : 1 | W | Unused Sub |
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Bolton Wanderers Championship |
A | 14/09/2013 | 1 : 0 | W | Unused Sub |
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Reading Championship |
A | 18/09/2013 | 0 : 1 | L | Unused Sub |
|
Burnley Championship |
H | 21/09/2013 | 1 : 2 | L | Unused Sub |
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Newcastle United Capital One Cup 3rd Round |
A | 25/09/2013 | 0 : 2 | L | Unused Sub |
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Millwall Championship |
A | 28/09/2013 | 0 : 2 | L | Unused Sub |
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Bournemouth Championship |
H | 01/10/2013 | 2 : 1 | W | Unused Sub |
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Derby County Championship |
A | 05/10/2013 | 1 : 3 | L | Unused Sub |
|
Birmingham City Championship |
H | 20/10/2013 | 4 : 0 | W | Unused Sub |
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Huddersfield Town Championship |
A | 26/10/2013 | 2 : 3 | L | Unused Sub |
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Yeovil Town Championship |
H | 02/11/2013 | 2 : 0 | W | Unused Sub |
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Charlton Athletic Championship |
A | 09/11/2013 | 4 : 2 | W | Unused Sub |
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Middlesbrough Championship |
H | 23/11/2013 | 2 : 1 | W | Unused Sub |
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Blackburn Rovers Championship |
A | 30/11/2013 | 0 : 1 | L | Unused Sub |
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Wigan Athletic Championship |
H | 04/12/2013 | 2 : 0 | W | Unused Sub |
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Watford Championship |
H | 07/12/2013 | 3 : 3 | D | Unused Sub |
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Doncaster Rovers Championship |
A | 14/12/2013 | 3 : 0 | W | Unused Sub |
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Barnsley Championship |
H | 21/12/2013 | 0 : 0 | D | Unused Sub |
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Blackpool Championship |
A | 26/12/2013 | 1 : 1 | D | Unused Sub |
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Nottingham Forest Championship |
A | 29/12/2013 | 1 : 2 | L | Unused Sub |
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Blackburn Rovers Championship |
H | 01/01/2014 | 1 : 2 | L | Unused Sub |
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Rochdale FA Cup 3rd Round |
A | 04/01/2014 | 0 : 2 | L | Unused Sub |
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Sheffield Wednesday Championship |
A | 11/01/2014 | 0 : 6 | L | Unused Sub |
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Leicester City Championship |
H | 18/01/2014 | 0 : 1 | L | Unused Sub |
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Ipswich Town Championship |
H | 28/01/2014 | 1 : 1 | D | Unused Sub |
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Huddersfield Town Championship |
H | 01/02/2014 | 5 : 1 | W | Unused Sub |
|
Yeovil Town Championship |
A | 08/02/2014 | 2 : 1 | W | Unused Sub |
|
Brighton & Hove Albion Championship |
A | 11/02/2014 | 0 : 1 | L | Unused Sub |
|
Middlesbrough Championship |
A | 22/02/2014 | 0 : 0 | D | Unused Sub |
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Queens Park Rangers Championship |
A | 01/03/2014 | 1 : 1 | D | Unused Sub |
|
Bolton Wanderers Championship |
H | 08/03/2014 | 1 : 5 | L | Unused Sub |
|
Reading Championship |
H | 11/03/2014 | 2 : 4 | L | Unused Sub |
|
Burnley Championship |
A | 15/03/2014 | 1 : 2 | L | Unused Sub |
|
Millwall Championship |
H | 22/03/2014 | 2 : 1 | W | Unused Sub |
|
Bournemouth Championship |
A | 25/03/2014 | 1 : 4 | L | Unused Sub |
|
Doncaster Rovers Championship |
H | 29/03/2014 | 1 : 2 | L | Unused Sub |
|
Charlton Athletic Championship |
H | 01/04/2014 | 0 : 1 | L | Unused Sub |
|
Wigan Athletic Championship |
A | 05/04/2014 | 0 : 1 | L | Unused Sub |
|
Watford Championship |
A | 08/04/2014 | 0 : 3 | L | Unused Sub |
|
Blackpool Championship |
H | 12/04/2014 | 2 : 0 | W | Unused Sub |
|
Barnsley Championship |
A | 19/04/2014 | 1 : 0 | W | Unused Sub |
|
Nottingham Forest Championship |
H | 21/04/2014 | 0 : 2 | L | Unused Sub |
|
Birmingham City Championship |
A | 26/04/2014 | 3 : 1 | W | Unused Sub |
|
Derby County Championship |
H | 03/05/2014 | 1 : 1 | D | Unused Sub |
|
Charlton Athletic Championship |
A | 18/04/2015 | 1 : 2 | L | Unused Sub |
|
Sheffield Wednesday Championship |
A | 25/04/2015 | 2 : 1 | W | Unused Sub |
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Rotherham United Championship |
H | 02/05/2015 | 0 : 0 | D | Unused Sub |
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Sheffield Wednesday Championship |
A | 23/08/2024 | 2 : 0 | W | Unused Sub |
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Bristol City Championship |
H | 28/04/2025 | 4 : 0 | W | Unused Sub |
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Brentford Premier League |
H | 30/08/2026 | 1 : 1 | D | Unused Sub |
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References |
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OzWhite: Player Profile for Alex Cairns |
 |
Sheridan Dictates: Player Profile for Alex Cairns |
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