| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Colin Grainger | ||
| Date of birth | 10 June 1933 | ||
| Place of birth | Havercroft, England | ||
| Playing position | Outside left | ||
| Youth career | |||
| South Elmsall | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1950–1953 | Wrexham | 5 | (0) |
| 1953–1957 | Sheffield United | 88 | (26) |
| 1957–1960 | Sunderland | 120 | (14) |
| 1960–1961 | Leeds United | 33 | (5) |
| 1961–1964 | Port Vale | 39 | (6) |
| 1964–1966 | Doncaster Rovers | 40 | (4) |
| Macclesfield Town | |||
| Total | 325+ | (55+) | |
| National team | |||
| 1956–1957 | England | 7 | (3) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Colin Grainger (born 10 June 1933 in Havercroft, West Yorkshire) is an English former footballer. He was first cousins with fellow players Dennis Grainger, Jack Grainger and Edwin Holliday.[1]
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Grainger started his career with Wrexham in October 1950, making just five appearances before being snapped up by Sheffield United 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.[2]
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.[3]
Grainger earned his first England 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.[4]
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.[4]
Grainger is now a recording artist, who is signed to the HMV label.[4] 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.[2]