Career
Born in Slamannan, Scotland his most successful period was spent with for whom he played over 200 times but he also spent time at Glasgow Rangers, Everton, Bootle, Tottenham Hotspur and Small Heath before his retirement. Club career Cain started his career in his native Scotland where he played as an amateur for both Airdrieonians and Glasgow Rangers. He turned professional in the summer of 1889 when he was offered a contract by Everton and he duly moved south of the border to join the Lancashire club
Making his Football League debut for the club in November 1889 he played a number of games during the rest of the season before joining nearby Bootle in the summer of 1890.
After only one season at Bootle, Cain agreed to join, then of the Northern League, in the summer of 1891 and would go on to become one of the clubs most enduring players. Described as "a big man", though he only took a size five boot, the local media claimed that his game was "strength personified" and that he "kicked brilliantly without a semblance of effort" and "tackled shrewdly and generally fairly".
Cain was virtually ever present for the remainder of his tenure at Bramall Lane, making 106 consecutive Football League appearances before his departure. With having been crowned Division One champions in the 1897-1898 season, and shortly after receiving a benefit match, Cain opted to sign for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 1898.
Cain, however, was paid £70 as part of the deal but United cancelled the order for his Championship medal and withheld payment of his benefit bonus.
The move was to prove an unhappy one for Cain. Unable to settle in London he quickly contacted to enquire whether he could return to the club but his request was rejected by the committee, still angry about his previous actions. Leaving Tottenham in 1899 Cain signed for Scottish side Albion Rovers in September of that year.
United had retained Cain"s league registration, and as such accepted a £75 fee from Small Heath, considerably less than the £250 they had sought from Tottenham, allowing Cain to move back to England in November 1899.
International career Cain played in an international trial for his native Scotland in March 1891, appearing in an "Anglo Scots vs Home Scots" game, but was not selected to play for his country.
