Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Vale Syd Cairns (16 May 1936 - 28 November 2021)

Photo:  Eastern Suburbs photographed at South Hobart in 1974, with Syd Cairns fourth from left in the front row. [Photo courtesy of Steve Omant] 

The funeral was held in Hobart yesterday for Syd Cairns, who hailed from Edinburgh in Scotland arrived in Tasmania in the 1950s.

Cairns passed away on Sunday, 28 November 2021, aged 85.

Cairns played with Hollandia after arriving in Tasmania and also turned out for Rangers and Caledonians.

Photo:  Syd Cairns (to the right of George Arnott holding the trophy) in the title-winning Caledonians side of the early 1960s.  

He was Life Member of Clarence and also played for Eastern Suburbs and Phoenix Rovers.

Other clubs he was involved in as a player or coach were White Eagles, Olympia and Dnipro.

After returning as a player, Cairns was active as a junior coach.

“Syd did a lot for the game in Tasmania, especially for the kids,” said fellow Scot, Ronnie Bolton.

“He didn’t look for accolades but was content to see happy and smiling young faces.

“He was one of the real people who put everything into the game.”

He was a fair, diminutive and nippy player who never surrendered and gave his all in every game.

I extend sincere my condolences to Syd’s family and friends.

The following photographs were provided by Glenn Cairns.

Photo:  Syd Cairns (second from left in front row) in a White Eagles team photo taken at South Hobart.

Photo:  Syd Cairns (second from left in front row) in the Hollandia team photographed at South Hobart. The Keen's Curry sign was a prominent landmark which is still there today.

Photo:  Syd Cairns in action at South Hobart for Hollandia.

Photo:  Syd Cairns (second from right in front row) in a team photo taken at South Hobart, but which team?

Photo:  Syd Cairns (left) in action for Caledonians at South Hobart.

Photo:  Syd Cairns (left) in the thick of the action for Caledonians against Rangers at South Hobart.

3 comments:

Ian mcglone said...

Good man. Vale

steve darby said...

Brilliant photos...Syd was a lovely bloke RIP

Alex Holmes said...

Syd helped shape many of us over the years. I have him to thank for the time and effort from 1997-2005 (Eastern Region and Beachside youth teams). Always a true gent and I'll be forever greatful to have crossed paths with him.