Freddie Kearns

Frederick Thomas Kearns (8 November 1927 – 7 January 1987) was an Irish professional footballer who played as a centre-forward in the Football League for West Ham United and Norwich City.

Born in Cork, Kearns started his football career at the age of 16, having played hurling before that. He played for Shamrock Rovers before moving to England and West Ham United in May 1948. He had initially been signed as a full-back, but was moved to centre-forward while with the Hammers. In his five years at the club, he scored 14 goals in 43 games.

Kearns joined Norwich City for £9,000 in June 1954 and scored 11 times in 28 league appearances, before moving into non-league football with Tonbridge in 1956. At the Angels, he would usually play at inside-left, with Ron Saunders occupying the number 9 position. He would combine his football career with his work as a window cleaner.

In the 1960s, Kearns coached at Margate County Youth Club, and then at Sunday league team Quarterdeck in the 1970s. He was assistant manager to former Margate player Graham Sawyer at Ramsgate between July and October 1980.

He died in January 1987.