Grainger the game changer as Reds seek promotion

For the majority of his playing career Penrith born Grainger plied is trade in Scotland, however after five years at Carlisle he is now settled back into his childhood surroundings.

After announcing his retirement from professional football, the former United captain’s next steps have shown he has a lot more to give to football in the area.

When the position of Workington Reds manager came up there was no chance Danny would refuse. A local club in need of a local hero, and the perfect opportunity for him to put his local connections to good use.

Such ventures are testament to Grainger, who has worked over the last few years to gain his coaching badges and set up the Cumbria Football academy.

One of his main aims for now is to restore the family feel back at the Reds’, and with his family settled near Penrith Grainger had no intentions of leaving Cumbria.

Such a family feel is already in the process of being created.

An open training session saw all of Workington’s squad’s come together for a group photo – ranging from boys and girls junior teams to the first teams.

Danny will be hoping he can follow in the footsteps of the great Bill Shankly who went onto manage Carlisle along the way to becoming a Liverpool legend, nevertheless, he is also hoping to work out his own path as a manager.

Talking about the way he plans to set out his stall as a manager, many names came to mind as influences.

“I’ve pinched a bit of everyone and that’s good and bad as I want to be my own manager and have my own style, but I’ve been quite lucky.

The new era at Borough Park is well under way, but the main business starts now as the Reds’ begin their Northern Premier League North West Division campaign against Pickering.