From Premier League pitches to railway tracks.

EPL

Life after football can take unexpected turns, and former Premier League players often face tough decisions after injuries cut their careers short. Martin Grainger, who once patrolled the left flank for Birmingham City, is one such player. Today, rather than running down the wing, Grainger focuses on railway junctions as a train driver for Govia Thameslink Railway, operating Great Northern services from King’s Cross and Moorgate to destinations including Stevenage, Letchworth, and Welwyn Garden City.

Grainger’s professional football career, which spanned 13 years, ended abruptly at the age of 31 due to a serious knee injury. His final appearance is still fondly remembered, featuring a stunning 30-yard free-kick against Manchester United in April 2004. Speaking about the injury that forced him to retire, Grainger revealed that he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon, leading to multiple operations and a lengthy recovery that ultimately ended his career.

Martin Grainger

After football, Grainger retrained as a train driver in 2015, following spells as a painter and decorator. Despite lingering disappointment about how his Birmingham exit was handled, he has embraced a stable career and quieter life, finding contentment away from the spotlight two decades after his playing days ended.