A former Premier League participant now works on the railways after declining what he considered as an undervalued teaching proposal.
Martin Grainger, an everyday for Birmingham Metropolis throughout their rise to the highest flight, rejected an £11,000-per-year teaching position following his retirement.
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The 53-year-old is now employed by Govia Thameslink Railway, working companies between King’s Cross, Stevenage, Letchworth, and Welwyn Backyard Metropolis.
26 Sep 2001: Martin Grainger of Birmingham Metropolis scores the equalizing objective through the Nationwide League Division One match between Watford and Birmingham Metropolis at Vicarage Street, Watford. ++DIGITAL IMAGE++ Obligatory Credit score: Phil Cole/ALLSPORT
Damage introduced Birmingham profession to abrupt finish
Martin Grainger arrived at Birmingham from Brentford in 1996 and made 239 appearances throughout six seasons at St Andrew’s.
Whereas most got here within the previous First Division, he additionally featured 13 instances within the Premier League and scored as soon as towards Manchester United.
That strike in the end marked the ultimate objective of his profession after a serious knee drawback halted his progress. He when the difficulty first surfaced throughout an away fixture.
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“We had been enjoying at Middlesbrough in September 2002. I felt one thing uncomfortable in my knee. It was inflicting me ache and scans confirmed I had suffered a ruptured patellar tendon, which required corrective surgical procedure and a prolonged lay-off.”
Additional problems required a number of operations and restricted any significant return. A quick comeback ended when his knee gave approach once more, closing the chapter on a 13-year enjoying profession.
£11k teaching provide rejected earlier than railway profession
Following retirement, Grainger was initially provided the chance to stay at Birmingham in a training position. The proposal was later revised by these in cost.
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The up to date provide stood at £11,000 yearly, a determine he felt didn’t mirror his service to the membership. Slightly than settle for the phrases, he selected to pursue a special path.
“I had given all the things for the membership for 9 years, serving to get promotion into the Premier League. I used to be insulted by their revised provide.”
Grainger subsequently labored as a painter and decorator earlier than coaching as a driver in 2015. He has remained in that occupation since, constructing a brand new profession far faraway from his days in English soccer’s high division.
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