Premier League footballers enjoy a lavish life. However, sometimes the career of a footballer gets cut short because of injuries.
Thus, many footballers switch careers because of unfortunate injuries. Something similar has happened with a former Premier League footballer.
After retiring from football, one such Premier League footballer has started working as a train driver.
Martin Grainger once roamed Premier League touchlines, but today his focus lies on railway junctions rather than left-wing overlaps.
The former Birmingham City defender is working as a train driver for Govia Thameslink Railway.
He is operating for Great Northern services from King’s Cross and Moorgate to destinations including Stevenage, Letchworth and Welwyn Garden City.
It marks a striking contrast to a 13-year professional career that culminated in helping Birmingham secure promotion to the Premier League in 2002.
Grainger’s playing days came to an abrupt end at just 31 after a serious knee injury.
His final appearance remains a memorable one, scoring a stunning 30-yard free-kick against Manchester United in April 2004.
Recalling the injury that ultimately ended his career, Grainger said (via The Sun):
“Scans showed I had suffered a ruptured patellar tendon, which required corrective surgery and a lengthy lay-off.
“Unfortunately I had all sorts of complications with infections, so I ended up having three operations.”
“The moment I got back in the dressing room I knew it was bad. The knee was a total mess. It was extremely hard knowing I wouldn’t play again.”
After spells working as a painter and decorator, Grainger retrained as a train driver in 2015.
Despite lingering disappointment over how his Birmingham exit was handled, he has found contentment away from football.
Thus, he is now enjoying a stable career and a healthier, quieter life two decades on from his injury.
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