Colin Grainger
Encyclopedia
Colin Grainger is an English
former footballer. He was first cousins with fellow players Dennis Grainger
, Jack Grainger
and Edwin Holliday
.
in July 1953 for £2,500. It was at Bramall Lane
where he made his name, making close to 100 appearances before moving on to Sunderland
in February 1957 for a £7,000 fee. He made 120 appearances in three years before being sold on to Leeds United
for £15,000. He scored 6 goals in 37 games but never really impressed at Elland Road
.
Port Vale
paid £6,000 for his services in October 1961. His debut was a 'triumphant' one as he scored in a 4–1 home win over Torquay United
on 21 October 1961. However he started to be plagued by injury in February 1962, by August 1963 he had lost his place altogether. He was transferred to Doncaster Rovers
in August 1964 and later played for Macclesfield Town
.
cap
on 9 May 1956 in a friendly
with Brazil
. He scored within the opening minutes with his first touch of the ball and in the 83rd minute headed in England's fourth.
He played a further six games for the national side, the final one being less than a year later against Scotland
. He played poorly and thus ended his international career.
label. During his time as a footballer he was known as 'the singing winger' due to his vocal talent and the fact that he performed at pubs and clubs.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former footballer. He was first cousins with fellow players Dennis Grainger
Dennis Grainger
Dennis Grainger was an English professional footballer who played as a winger.-Career:Born in Barnsley, Grainger began his career with South Kirby, before turning professional with Southport in 1938. After World War II interrupted his career, he made his debut in the Football League for Leeds...
, Jack Grainger
Jack Grainger
Jack Grainger was an English professional footballer who played as a winger.-Career:Born in Darton, Grainger made 394 appearances in the Football League for Rotherham United and Lincoln City between 1947 and 1959....
and Edwin Holliday
Edwin Holliday
Edwin Holliday is a former English footballer who played for Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Hereford United, Workington and Peterborough United before retiring in 1970 due to injury. He also earned three caps for the England national team. He was first cousin to Leeds players Dennis, Colin...
.
Club career
Grainger started his career with Wrexham in October 1950, making just five appearances before being snapped up by Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
in July 1953 for £2,500. It was at Bramall Lane
Bramall Lane
-Cricket at the Lane:Bramall Lane opened as a cricket ground in 1855, having been leased by Michael Ellison from the Duke of Norfolk at an annual rent of £70. The site was then away from the town's industrial area, and relatively free from smoke. It was built to host the matches of local cricket...
where he made his name, making close to 100 appearances before moving on to Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
in February 1957 for a £7,000 fee. He made 120 appearances in three years before being sold on to Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
for £15,000. He scored 6 goals in 37 games but never really impressed at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
.
Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
paid £6,000 for his services in October 1961. His debut was a 'triumphant' one as he scored in a 4–1 home win over Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
on 21 October 1961. However he started to be plagued by injury in February 1962, by August 1963 he had lost his place altogether. He was transferred to Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
in August 1964 and later played for Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
.
International career
Grainger earned his first EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
cap
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
on 9 May 1956 in a friendly
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
with Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
. He scored within the opening minutes with his first touch of the ball and in the 83rd minute headed in England's fourth.
He played a further six games for the national side, the final one being less than a year later against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. He played poorly and thus ended his international career.
Post-retirement
Grainger is now a recording artist, who is signed to the HMVHMV Group
HMV is a British global entertainment retail chain and is the largest of its kind in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company also operates in Hong Kong and Singapore. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE Fledgling Index...
label. During his time as a footballer he was known as 'the singing winger' due to his vocal talent and the fact that he performed at pubs and clubs.
External links
- Player profile at EnglandStats.com
- Stats at Neil Brown site