Daniel Leslie Grainger (born 28 July 1986) is an English professional football manager and former player who is the manager of Workington
He started his career with the Scottish club Gretna, and thereafter played for Dundee United, St Johnstone and Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premier League. After short spells with St Mirren and Dunfermline Athletic, he returned to England to sign for his home town club, Carlisle, in 2014. He retired from playing in 2019 and was appointed as manager of Workington.
Playing career
Gretna
Born in Penrith, Cumbria, Grainger began his career with Gretna, joining as a schoolboy in the summer of 2002. Grainger made over a dozen appearances before a loan spell with Brechin City in early 2006.
At the start of the 2006–07 season, Grainger became a first-team regular, playing in all but a handful of Gretna's matches. On 27 August 2006, Grainger scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Queen of the South. On 11 November 2006, Grainger scored his second goal for the club in a 2–1 win over Livingston. Later on in the 2006–07 season, Gretna were promoted from the First Division to the Scottish Premier League. At the start of the 2007–08 season, Grainger became a first-team regular for Gretna's campaign in the Scottish Premier League, making 17 appearances for them before being sold. On 15 December 2007, Grainger made his last appearance for Gretna, in which he scored his third goal (and last in his Gretna career) in a 3–3 draw against Kilmarnock.
Later in the 2007–08 season, Gretna struggled in the SPL and were relegated, before being formally liquidated on 8 August 2008. Four years on, Grainger said that he had no regret leaving Gretna, and departed because of the club's financial crisis.
Dundee United
On 27 December 2007, he agreed terms to conclude his transfer to Dundee United when the transfer window reopened on 1 January 2008. One day after signing for the club, he made his debut in a 4–1 win against his future club Heart of Midlothian. Throughout the 2007–08 season, Grainger became a first-team regular at full back, playing in all but a handful of Dundee United's matches. The following season of 2008–09, Grainger struggled for first-team opportunities after the arrival of Paul Dixon restricted Grainger to just nine starts in the SPL.
St Johnstone
At the end of 2008–09 season, newly promoted side St Johnstone made an inquiry for Grainger after boss Craig Levein confirmed there was contact from the Saints. On 15 July 2009, he signed for Scottish Premier League club St Johnstone on a two-year deal. Upon joining St Johnstone, Grainger said he will never make a mistake that will cost him his first team place.
On 15 August 2009, Grainger made his debut for St Johnstone in a 2–2 draw against Motherwell. In the 2009–10 season, Grainger became a first-team regular at full back for 2 seasons until his departure. In a match against Hearts on 30 August 2009, Grainger was in a row with Suso Santana after claims Suso spat on Grainger in a touchline altercation during the first half, which Suso denied. Grainger, himself, says he accepted his [Suso] promise to never do it again [spit on him]. On 12 September 2009, Grainger provided an assist for captain Jody Morris to equalise in a 1–1 draw against St Mirren. On 3 October 2009, Grainger scored his first goal in a 2–0 win over Hamilton Academical. On 10 February 2010, Grainger provided a double assist for Graham Gartland and Peter MacDonald in a 3–2 loss against Kilmarnock. On 30 March 2010, Grainger provided a double assist for Cillian Sheridan and Chris Millar in a 4–1 win over Rangers. At the end of the season, Grainger said he was happy that St Johnstone had survived relegation from the SPL.