Former Sheffield United and Leeds man Colin Grainger surprised by video call from Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane during coronavirus lockdown

Colin Grainger, the former Sheffield United, Leeds and England player, was surprised by a video call from current England captain Harry Kane this week during the coronavirus lockdown.
By Danny Hall
Published 12th May 2020, 16:03 BST
Updated 12th May 2020, 16:04 BST
Harry Kane speaking to Colin Grainger who made his Three Lions debut 64 years ago last Saturday: @England/ Twitter/PA Wire.Harry Kane speaking to Colin Grainger who made his Three Lions debut 64 years ago last Saturday: @England/ Twitter/PA Wire.
Harry Kane speaking to Colin Grainger who made his Three Lions debut 64 years ago last Saturday: @England/ Twitter/PA Wire.

Grainger, who also played for Sunderland, scored with his first touch in an England shirt before later netting a second goal in a 4-2 win over Brazil in May 1956.

He was a Blade at the time of his Three Lions debut and became known as ‘The Singing Winger’, performing on the same bill as The Beatles in 1963.

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The 86-year-old Grainger said: "I was very lucky, but I do remember the goals.

"It was brilliant, good memories. I played with Stanley Matthews, Tom Finney, Duncan Edwards, Jimmy Hagan of Sheffield United and Len Shackleton of Sunderland.

"They were great, great players and I'm proud that I played with those people.

"I've got some good memories, but my favourite memory is my two goals against Brazil, that's the one.”

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Like the rest of the country, Grainger has been isolating at home, meaning he has not seen his family in the last few weeks, but he praised the care workers who have been with him every day.

File photo dated 09-05-1956 of Colin Grainger (white shirt) scores England's fourth goal of the game from a header during the friendly against Brazil. PA/PA Wire.File photo dated 09-05-1956 of Colin Grainger (white shirt) scores England's fourth goal of the game from a header during the friendly against Brazil. PA/PA Wire.
File photo dated 09-05-1956 of Colin Grainger (white shirt) scores England's fourth goal of the game from a header during the friendly against Brazil. PA/PA Wire.

Grainger, who made seven England appearances, scoring three goals, added: "I'm doing well because I've been looked after by the care workers really well.

"Without them, I don't know how I would've done but we're almost there now. But I'm missing the family coming most."

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Related topics:Harry KaneEnglandLeedsTottenham HotspurSunderlandBrazil

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