Bert Trautmann. An excellent question for a football quiz. As a German soldier, Trautmann had been captured by the British in 1945 and sent to a POW camp in Ashton, Makerfield, where football became a welcome distraction. Originally preferring to play outfield, an injury forced him to take up a place between the posts. Here, his breathtaking displays soon caught the eye, and as the war ended, he joined St Helens Town. He quickly became a firm favourite and, in 1949, completed a move to Manchester City. The move outraged many people throughout the country, as anti-German sentiment was still strong. Demonstrations took place outside Maine Road and fans threatened to boycott the club, but the big, amiable German soon won over the City faithful with his bravery and breathtaking agility. It was not until May 5th 1956 however, that the German captured the hearts of the entire nation. In the 74th minute of the FA Cup Final against Birmingham City at Wembley, Trautmann bravely dived at the feet of opposing striker Peter Murphy, sustaining an horrific neck injury. Despite intense pain, Trautmann refused to leave the pitch and reduce Manchester City to 10 men. Instead, he continued in goal and was involved in two further dramatic saves to help Manchester City beat Birmingham 3-1. Trautmann continued to suffer from chronic headaches in the aftermath of the match and an x-ray 3 days after the game revealed that the giant keeper had in fact broken his neck! Incredulous doctors marvelled at Trautmann’s luck, when the merest jolt could have sent Bert to footballing heaven. The giant German's heroics saw him win the Footballer of the Year award, worldwide acclaim for his bravery and guaranteed his place amongst the legends of FA Cup Final history.
The giant German's heroics saw him win the Footballer of the Year award, worldwide acclaim for his bravery and guaranteed his place amongst the legends of FA Cup Final history. ...and an honourary OBE in 2004. Dave
As someone whose team has a German goalkeeper in it known for his 'madness' - it just goes to show that all German goalkeepers must be a bit on the eccentric side :smile:
At least Trautmann nearly killed himself and not someone else!!! (memories of Harald Schumacher vs Patrick Battiston 1982! ) Dave
A Great Keeper and a gentleman too. A pity that he played for THAT team. As a Man United fan, there are few teams worse than City!!!
As someone whose team has a German goalkeeper in it known for his 'madness' - it just goes to show that all German goalkeepers must be a bit on the eccentric side :smile: I think all goalkeepers, regardless of nationality, have a few screws loose. I played with one, who's nickname was "El Loco" and coached another, a youngster, the best I ever saw at his age, who was also crazy......I think that the better a 'keeper is, the more deranged.
Bert Trautmann: from Nazi paratrooper to hero of Manchester City | Football | The Observer An article in the guardian about him. Still going strong at 86. Seems he had a fairly troubled personal life but is at peace with himself now.
I think all goalkeepers, regardless of nationality, have a few screws loose. I played with one, who's nickname was "El Loco" and coached another, a youngster, the best I ever saw at his age, who was also crazy......I think that the better a 'keeper is, the more deranged. I think this is true of any goalkeeper what ever the sport. I played Waterpolo through high school and all our Goalies were nutters of some degree (and mostly of Dutch decent hehe) and I now play Handball, all the goalkeepers seem to be a bit mad.
Excellent article , well found. German TV program about him. Including pics of him in Russia approx 2 min 40 sec [YOUTUBE]QDYrvvXyBP8[/YOUTUBE]
we had a football exhibition at the City Museum some years ago - obviously before I worked there - and one of the main exhibits was the neckbrace that Trautmann wore after the final.
Dear David as an avid man city fan TILL I DIE was good to see someone else new about Bert my father was a pow with him and remmembered the football games as he used to mention it from time to time.
Just been reading some stuff on this great German goalkeeper who played for Manchester City in the 1950/60's. A former paratrooper, he won the Iron Cross[1st class] and was later awarded the OBE for his service to English football. I wonder if this is totally unique? [ie has any other decorated German soldier been awarded a British Medal?]
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/prewar/32170-ramc-vc-iron-cross-holder.html VC & Iron Cross Opps, slighty off topic, he was British. Posted this before, Herbert Salzbach. Royal Pioneer Corps & Royal Pioneer Association
A Great Keeper and a gentleman too. A pity that he played for THAT team. As a Man United fan, there are few teams worse than City!!! Now i know their are lot of footie forums out there and i don't wish to drag this forum into their childish arguments. But,as a life long 'Blue' i feel insulted and demand satisfaction. Therefore i may suggest a Black Pudding eating contest a dawn! seriously[and getting back to the question] has any german serviceman had medals awarded from the two countries?
Yes - Werner Volkner - Waffen SS and British Army... "Mr Volkner spent five years with the Dragoons, serving in Northern Ireland and reaching the rank of corporal. On one occasion he was summoned to the presence of the regiment's honorary colonel, Gen Sir Harold Pyman, who asked him if he would like to wear his decorations won during the war, including his Iron Cross, on parade. "I said the other lads might not like it, but he said nonsense, that I was entitled and I should make a formal submission and he would OK it," says Mr Volkner. "But it must have ended up in a bin because he died before he could sign it. So I never did get to wear my medals." The German who served Adolf Hitler, Queen and Country - Telegraph
seriously[and getting back to the question] has any german serviceman had medals awarded from the two countries? Did you follow link in post#13 ?
Yes - Werner Volkner - Waffen SS and British Army... "Mr Volkner spent five years with the Dragoons, serving in Northern Ireland and reaching the rank of corporal. On one occasion he was summoned to the presence of the regiment's honorary colonel, Gen Sir Harold Pyman, who asked him if he would like to wear his decorations won during the war, including his Iron Cross, on parade. "I said the other lads might not like it, but he said nonsense, that I was entitled and I should make a formal submission and he would OK it," says Mr Volkner. "But it must have ended up in a bin because he died before he could sign it. So I never did get to wear my medals." The German who served Adolf Hitler, Queen and Country - Telegraph He wrote a book which covers both his service in the Waffen ss and the British army, I have a signed copy but have yet to read it although I have seen it reviewed favourably.
Bert Trautmann, the German goalkeeper who won the FA Cup with Manchester City in 1956, has died at the age of 89. Born in Bremen in 1923, Trautmann fought as a paratrooper in World War II before being captured on the Russian front. Trautmann escaped captivity and returned to serve in France, but, after escaping from the French resistance, he was captured for a final time by the British Army and interned near Ashton-in-Makerfield, Lancashire. Trautmann is helped from the field after the 1956 FA Cup final, unaware he has broken his neck Remaining in England following the the war in 1945, Trautmann began his English football career with non-league St Helens Town. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23375452