Martin Grainger
Encyclopedia
Martin Grainger is a former English football player, he was a defender who ended his playing career with Birmingham City
in December 2004. He was an attacking left back who could also play further up the field or even as a winger and was a dead ball specialist.
An experienced player, his career started in 1992 at Colchester United
, where he made 37 league starts between July 1992 and October 1993, before moving on to Brentford
on 21 October for a fee of £60,000. He was a first-team regular throughout his time at the club, making 100 league starts and scoring 12 goals. He joined Birmingham City on 25 March 1996, and quickly became an inspirational player due to his continued consistency and ability from set-pieces.
He picked up the fans' Player of the Season award for 1999–2000, but as Birmingham continued to improve in the First Division, and eventually earned promotion into the Premiership, Grainger's playing time became limited. He played for Birmingham in the 2001 Football League Cup Final
loss to Liverpool, with Grainger unfortunately missing one of the spot kicks in the shootout. He failed to appear for Birmingham due to injury during the first half of the 2003–04 season, and in February he was loaned to Coventry City
, for whom he made seven league appearances. On 18 March 2004, he was recalled to Birmingham's team due to an injury crisis, and got on the scoresheet in a 2–1 defeat to Manchester United
, but was himself injured and failed to appear in any matches for the rest of the season.
Grainger retired from football on 1 January 2005, having spent 13 years as a player. His goal-scoring appearance against Manchester United, on 10 April 2004, proved to be his final professional fixture. In the years following his retirement, Grainger has continued to be a popular figure amongst supporters of Birmingham City. He currently works as a VIP chauffeur
.
On 10 January 2008, Cheshunt F.C.
issued a statement saying Martin would be the new Cheshunt F.C.
manager, but on 12 January 2008, another statement was issued, stating that he had left the club for family and personal reasons, wishing him all the best. He is currently the shortest-reigning manager of Cheshunt F.C.
.
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
in December 2004. He was an attacking left back who could also play further up the field or even as a winger and was a dead ball specialist.
An experienced player, his career started in 1992 at Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
, where he made 37 league starts between July 1992 and October 1993, before moving on to Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
on 21 October for a fee of £60,000. He was a first-team regular throughout his time at the club, making 100 league starts and scoring 12 goals. He joined Birmingham City on 25 March 1996, and quickly became an inspirational player due to his continued consistency and ability from set-pieces.
He picked up the fans' Player of the Season award for 1999–2000, but as Birmingham continued to improve in the First Division, and eventually earned promotion into the Premiership, Grainger's playing time became limited. He played for Birmingham in the 2001 Football League Cup Final
2001 Football League Cup Final
The 2001 Worthington Cup Final was a football match played between Liverpool and Birmingham City at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Sunday 25 February 2001...
loss to Liverpool, with Grainger unfortunately missing one of the spot kicks in the shootout. He failed to appear for Birmingham due to injury during the first half of the 2003–04 season, and in February he was loaned to Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
, for whom he made seven league appearances. On 18 March 2004, he was recalled to Birmingham's team due to an injury crisis, and got on the scoresheet in a 2–1 defeat to Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, but was himself injured and failed to appear in any matches for the rest of the season.
Grainger retired from football on 1 January 2005, having spent 13 years as a player. His goal-scoring appearance against Manchester United, on 10 April 2004, proved to be his final professional fixture. In the years following his retirement, Grainger has continued to be a popular figure amongst supporters of Birmingham City. He currently works as a VIP chauffeur
Chauffeur
A chauffeur is a person employed to drive a passenger motor vehicle, especially a luxury vehicle such as a large sedan or limousine.Originally such drivers were always personal servants of the vehicle owner, but now in many cases specialist chauffeur service companies, or individual drivers provide...
.
On 10 January 2008, Cheshunt F.C.
Cheshunt F.C.
Cheshunt Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire and currently playing in the Isthmian League Division One North.-Original club:...
issued a statement saying Martin would be the new Cheshunt F.C.
Cheshunt F.C.
Cheshunt Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire and currently playing in the Isthmian League Division One North.-Original club:...
manager, but on 12 January 2008, another statement was issued, stating that he had left the club for family and personal reasons, wishing him all the best. He is currently the shortest-reigning manager of Cheshunt F.C.
Cheshunt F.C.
Cheshunt Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire and currently playing in the Isthmian League Division One North.-Original club:...
.