Kane surprises former England striker, 86, with lockdown call
HARRY KANE surprised former England striker Colin Grainger with a video call during the coronavirus lockdown as the pair discussed their experiences of scoring on their international debuts.
Mr Grainger, who counts Leeds United, Sheffield United and Sunderland among his former clubs, scored with his first touch in a Three Lions shirt before later netting a second goal in a 4-2 win over Brazil in May 1956.
Kane, who marked his arrival on to the international stage by scoring 79 seconds after coming on as a substitute against Lithuania in 2015, checked in on Grainger.
Mr Grainger, 86, said on the Football Association’s website: “I was very lucky, but I do remember the goals. I’ve got some good memories, but my favourite memory is my two goals against Brazil, that’s the one.”
Kane added: “When you make
HARRY KANE: your England debut, it’s pretty special. I know that feeling and it doesn’t get much better than that.”
Like the rest of the country, Mr 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.
Mr Grainger, who made seven
England appearances, scoring three goals, added: “I’m doing well because I’ve being 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.”
Mr Grainger, a widower, lived in Skelmanthorpe, near Huddersfield, until complex health issues meant he moved into Kirklees Council accommodation in March. He won seven England caps and scored three goals and later became a club singer.
He has two children and seven grandchildren, who usually take him out but cannot do so at the moment due to the lockdown.
Mr Grainger played for Wrexham, Sheffield United, Sunderland, Leeds United, Port Vale and Doncaster Rovers in a 16-year career and later became a scout for a number of professional clubs. He ended his singing career in 1970 and built a new career in sales.
CAPTAIN TOM Moore said it was a “great honour” to receive the Freedom of the City of London in a virtual ceremony.
The ancient tradition is believed to date back to 1237 and yesterday’s ceremony was the first to be conducted by videolink.
Second World War veteran Captain Tom, born in Keighley, was nominated after raising almost £33m for the NHS by walking 100 laps of his garden.
He sat beside his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore at home in Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire for the ceremony, streamed on YouTube.
Captain Tom, who served with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, was told that previous freemen of the City of London include the Duke of Wellington. Captain Tom was applauded as the ceremony concluded, adding: “Thank you all very much.”