Ex-Premier League star now driving trains for a living after turning down £11k coaching role

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A former Premier League player now works on the railways after declining what he viewed as an undervalued coaching proposal.

Martin Grainger, a regular for Birmingham City during their rise to the top flight, rejected an £11,000-per-year coaching role following his retirement.

The 53-year-old is now employed by Govia Thameslink Railway, operating services between King’s Cross, Stevenage, Letchworth, and Welwyn Garden City.

Injury brought Birmingham career to abrupt end

Martin Grainger arrived at Birmingham from Brentford in 1996 and made 239 appearances across six seasons at St Andrew’s.

While most came in the old First Division, he also featured 13 times in the Premier League and scored once against Manchester United.

That strike ultimately marked the final goal of his career after a major knee problem halted his progress. He recalled when the issue first surfaced during an away fixture.

“We were playing at Middlesbrough in September 2002. I felt something uncomfortable in my knee. It was causing me pain and scans showed I had suffered a ruptured patellar tendon, which required corrective surgery and a lengthy lay-off.”

Further complications required multiple operations and limited any meaningful return. A brief comeback ended when his knee gave way again, closing the chapter on a 13-year playing career.

£11k coaching offer rejected before railway career

Following retirement, Grainger was initially offered the opportunity to remain at Birmingham in a coaching role. The proposal was later revised by those in charge.

The updated offer stood at £11,000 annually, a figure he felt did not reflect his service to the club. Rather than accept the terms, he chose to pursue a different path.

“I had given everything for the club for nine years, helping get promotion into the Premier League. I was insulted by their revised offer.”

Grainger subsequently worked as a painter and decorator before training as a driver in 2015. He has remained in that profession since, building a new career far removed from his days in English football’s top division.