Ron Cairns

His best return with Blackburn Rovers was 6 goals in 15 League games in 1957-58 when Rovers finished as runners-up behind West ham in the Second Division.

He was Rochdale’s most expensive capture when they paid Blackburn Rovers £2500. In 1960-61 he was the first Rochdale player to score 20 goals in a season for 14 years and in all notched 66 goals in 194 League appearances for the ‘Dale. He also was a member of the team that reached the League Cup final in 1961-62 losing to Norwich City. Although he ‘scored’ the last goal conceded by Accrington Stanley at Peel Park, this was expunged from the League records as Stanley resigned from the 4th division 10 days later.

Transferred to Southport with Stan Hepton, his Southport debut was at centre forward but the rest of his appearances were at inside forward. At Wigan he was out for 9 months after a back operation. Work commitments ended his involvement with Darwen, although he continued to live in the town for many years.