Bernhard “Bert” Trautmann

Bert Trautmann will forever be associated with one particular moment: in the 1956 FA Cup final between Manchester City and Birmingham City, the Cityzens’ goalkeeper literally put his life on the line to deal with a cross from the wing. He managed to defuse the attack, but at that very moment he was struck in the neck by Birmingham striker Murphy’s knee. After several minutes of treatment, he pulled himself together and staggered back to his goal, no doubt aware that substitutions were not yet permitted in his day, and determined not to let his team-mates down. What nobody knew at the time was that Trautmann had broken his neck in the collision and dislocated five cervical vertebrae. Unaware that his life was in danger, he carried on playing and, with further saves, secured his team’s victory in the FA Cup.

The start of his career was just as incredible: as a German soldier in the Second World War, the Bremen-born player was taken prisoner by the British. In the camp team, after initially playing in midfield, he took over the vacant goalkeeper’s position and caused a sensation there with his spectacular style of catching crosses and diving for the ball. After his release, he decided to stay in England and initially joined a provincial club. It wasn’t long before scouts from the big clubs took notice of him. Trautmann eventually signed a professional contract with Manchester City, where he went on to become a legend, despite massive protests from the fanbase against his signing due to his German origins.  Seven years after joining City, he became only the second foreigner ever to be voted Player of the Season in England’s top flight. But the ultimate honour was yet to come: after his 463rd and final league match for Manchester City, the fans at the home ground tore down the goalposts – no other goalkeeper was ever to stand between them again but Bert Trautmann.

He was, however, denied the chance to play for the German national team, as national coach Sepp Herberger at that time only selected players who were active in Germany. In recognition of his services to German-British relations, Bert Trautmann was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in 1997 and, in 2004, was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.