Flying the Flag for Edinburgh Keepers

The young goalkeepers of Edinburgh are in for double delight as they have TWO ex professional goalkeepers to learn from. Normally J4K only put one ex pro into an area but we are very fortunate to have Mark Cairns AND Jason Gardiner who have played OVER 30 years professionally in goal between themselves, notching up OVER 500 professional games and both representing Scotland!!

You WILL NOT find this goalkeeping experience anywhere else in Edinburgh!

Mark Cairns

Mark started his career at Heart of Midlothian where he spent five years, before having loan spells at Gala Fairydean, Berwick Rangers and East Stirling were he enjoyed various successful Scottish cup runs and actually winning the East of Scottish cup in 1987.

He then went onto play for Partick Thistle for three seasons, before signing for Alloa Athletic where he helped them win the Bells Challenge cup and promotion twice! Mark then signed for Brechin City helping the win promotion. Other teams Mark has played for over his long career include, two spells at Queens Park and Bo’ness United

As well as Mark representing Scotland at youth level, he has his UEFA B qualification and has been the goalkeeper coach for queens Park, so is vastly experienced in his goalkeeping!

Jason Gardiner

Jason has represented Scotland as a youngster at U15 level but also has had the honour of getting capped at under 16, 17, 18 ,19 and under 21 level.

Jason was one of only a handful of players to have spent a decade playing for HIBS were he trained alongside, Andy Goram, Jim Leighton, John Burridge and Bryan Gunn and also being coached by John Ritchie. (Now with J4K Dunfermline).

In 1999 he signed for Stirling Albion where he played for just one season until sadly a ruptured cruciate ligament prematurely ended his career.

We believe at J4K any young coach in Edinburgh cannot go wrong getting taught by both these legends!