Danny Grainger Guides Workington AFC to their First Promotion in 18 Years

Danny Grainger has confessed it is hard to describe the emotions of being the coach who has led Workington Reds back into the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

As a player, the 36-year-old Football Careers client hit the heights in the Scottish game, winning the First Division title with Gretna and the Scottish Cup with Heart of Midlothian in a 5-1 Edinburgh Derby Final humiliation of Hibernian a decade ago.

Life as a coach following his retirement from playing has taken Danny through the peaks and troughs of the Beautiful Game.

He first took over the club in the 2019/20 season and was in pole position to take Workington back to the Premier before the COVID-19 pandemic struck and the season was declared null and void.

On Saturday, though, all that hurt was swept away as a 2-1 win over Runcorn Linnets at Reds’ Borough Park stadium in front of over 2,500 fans brought Workington their first promotion in 18 years. Danny smiled:

“It really is unbelievable when you think of what we’ve had to endure over the last few years, as a club, as individuals, it’s unbelievable. I’m absolutely made up for everyone involved. They’re an unbelievable group of boys and I can’t ask anymore.”

Grainger’s playing career took in the Gretna fairytale journey through the Scottish leagues before they slumped into liquidation and he went on to star for Dundee United, St Johnstone, Hearts, St Mirren, and Dunfermline before hanging up his boots.

Danny racked up 469 pro games and 47 goals before turning to coaching and did return to Scotland for a short-lived spell as Paul Sheerin’s Assistant Head Coach at League One sleeping giants Falkirk.

Now he has brought some joy back to a former English Football League club that fell on hard times and slipped out of the EFL in 1986. Promotion secures a slot now in the seventh tier of English football and Grainger can begin to plan for the Premier Division in his quest to restore some of the former glories to a proud old club.

Latest news

Keep up to date with the latest news
from Football Careers

including recent placements, in-depth interviews with our clients, career advice segments, guest columns, and more. Our members can access exclusive content centred around working in the world of football, created by the people who know it best.

I can’t thank Football Careers enough for the professional CV they created for me. The attention to detail is outstanding and the design is eye-catching. I really appreciate all of the support and guidance their team has given me over the years.

Robbie Fowler, Coach & Former Professional Footballer

Football Careers knew every detail about the role I was interested in and gave me comprehensive advice on how to prepare for a successful interview. The team was attentive and took time to answer all my questions. The knowledge they’ve shared with me has helped me secure a new role and it will be invaluable in my future career.

Selmen Sassi, Coach & Former Professional Footballer

I would like to thank Football Careers for their professional preparation of my CV and PowerPoint presentation. Without their input, I wouldn’t have found the recent job opportunities that have come my way. I would highly recommend Football Careers to anyone involved in football.

Frank Sinclair, Coach & Former Professional Footballer

I’ve had my CV and LinkedIn profile done by Football Careers. They’ve helped me out, they’ve offered me advice and guidance, and the staff couldn’t be more helpful. I would recommend them to any coach.

Diarmuid O'Carroll, Assistant Manager & Former Professional Footballer

Football Careers does fantastic work. So happy to be a part of such a professional agency and thankful for their help!

Éamon Zayed, Head Coach & Former Professional Footballer

Football Careers worked tirelessly to create a top-quality CV and philosophy documents that perfectly capture my ideas on how to run a football club. They have been a joy to work with from the very beginning and their outstanding final products have already proven to be a very useful career tool.

Derek Adams, First Team Manager

Football Careers has helped me greatly with my football CV and my management brochure. They’re very professional and the design of the documents is fantastic. I’ve had the pleasure of working with them for a couple of years now and I would highly recommend them.

Pa-Modou Kah, Head Coach & Former Professional Footballer

Football Careers were a huge support to me in my transition from playing to coaching. A first-class service to those who are looking to give themselves the best opportunity for face-to-face interviews.

Paddy McCourt, Assistant Manager

Top service once again from Football Careers, thanks for all of your help with updating my CV.

Clint Hill, Assistant Manager & Former Professional Footballer

Thanks to Football Careers for their help over the years. I highly recommend their services!

Stevie Grieve, First Team Manager

A big thank you to Football Careers for the yearly update of my CV. If you’re looking for a CV, get in touch. Best in the business!

Ross Ballantyne, Head of Academy Goalkeeping

Since utilising my CV, I have had interviews at a number of English Premier League and SPFL clubs before accepting a role in the USA. It is definitely a service which I will continue to use.

Graeme Henderson

The team members at Football Careers are very approachable and they have excellent knowledge of the football industry. I received a highly professional service from them and I now have a detailed, eye-catching CV that any employer would be attracted to.

Kevin Nicholson, Club Services Manager

Football Careers helped me successfully apply for my first full-time coaching job. They provide a fantastic, professional service with a great final product. The team is a pleasure to deal with and I couldn’t be happier with the service provided.

Luke Chadwick, Head Coach & Franchise Owner

Working with Football Careers has opened up new opportunities for me. I am delighted with the quality of their service and the results that I received. The work produced by the team has been consistently excellent and I strongly recommend their services to any ambitious coaches.

Jose Gomez

Football Careers’ membership features have been a great help to me over the years. The job board is fantastic. It’s quick and easy to use, and there is a wide range of jobs available that are based all over the world. Being an Elite Hosted member gives me unlimited access to the job board, so I can apply for as many roles as I like.

Jordan Tait, Lead PDP Coach

I would highly recommend Football Careers. Following a consultation, I was provided with a new professional CV and LinkedIn profile as well as very useful interview coaching. Given the highly competitive football job market, the support they offer is invaluable.

Barry Horgan, Research Manager & Sports Scientist

I highly recommend becoming a member of Football Careers. You’ll receive the benefits and opportunities you seek in football. The services offer good value for money and above all, give you the access and tools you need to apply for high-level positions globally.

Niall Connolly, Director of Coaching

Fantastic service and professionalism of the highest order! Top-class staff who go the extra mile with a personal and professional approach. I highly recommend Football Careers, thank you always!

Dave Rogers, YDP Lead Coach

Thanks to Football Careers for the brilliant CV and cover letter to help with my future. First-class service and an unbelievable, new-look CV! I thoroughly recommend them, thanks again.

Ross Stormonth, Assistant Manager

Thank you to Football Careers for your quality products and outstanding service. I highly recommend them to any football professionals.

Paul Gray, Academy Manager

I would highly recommend Football Careers to anyone looking to obtain a CV of outstanding quality and attention to detail. I have just received mine and it’s first-class.

Darren Murphy, First Team Manager

A massive thank you to Football Careers for redesigning and updating my CV. If you’re looking to give your career prospects a boost, I would highly recommend getting in touch with them.

Brian McDermott, YDP Coach

Become A Member

Create an account and access a limited number of the latest sports vacancies. Apply for up to five directly from your profile.

Or, become a full member and gain additional benefits including access to all listings on the Job Board, your own candidate page and access to all news articles and expert career advice for a small monthly fee.