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Manchester City legend Bert Trautmann dies aged 89

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Manchester City's Bert Trautmann breaks neck in 1956 FA Cup final

Bert Trautmann, the German goalkeeper who won the FA Cup with Manchester City in 1956, has died at the age of 89.

Trautmann is best remembered for playing the final 17 minutes of City's Cup final win against Birmingham City with a broken neck.

He played more than 500 times for City between 1949-64, having first arrived in England as a prisoner of war.

Trautmann, who had survived two heart attacks this year, passed away near Valencia in Spain on Friday.

Bob Wilson, the former Arsenal goalkeeper and BBC Sport presenter, paid tribute to Trautmann in an interview with Radio 5 live

"I just adored what he did," said Wilson, 71. "I don't think I could have chosen a greater hero."

Wilson said Trautmann's bravery - "diving headlong at people's feet" - won him over, as did his "thorough decency" and "humanity".

Francis Lee, the former Manchester City player who later became the club's chairman, said: "He was one of the all-time great keepers.

"I knew Bert wasn't keeping well for the last six months but it has still come as a shock that he has passed on.

"I made my debut as a 16-year-old for Bolton against City with Bert in goal and I scored a header after a quarter of an hour. It convinced him, he later told me, that it was time to pack up."

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.

Bert Trautmann (centre) after the 1956 FA Cup final
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.

He signed for Manchester City in October 1949, but, with memories of the war still fresh, initially faced hostility from some supporters.

However, his bravery in the 1956 FA Cup final saw Trautmann become a hero to many fans after he broke several vertebrae in his neck when he collided with Birmingham's Peter Murphy with City leading 3-1.

The German was unaware how serious the injury was and played the rest of the match, only learning he had broken his neck three days later.

"I don't think he knew he'd broken his neck, not until they had the scans and X-rays," Lee added. "There was no way he was coming off because there were no subs in those days. He was as brave as a lion.

"He was on the Western Front as well the Eastern Front, so he saw a bit of action and a broken neck was not going to put him off."

Trautmann made a full recovery and, following his retirement in 1964, went on to manage Stockport County.

He also helped the German Football Association promote football development in Africa and Asia.

In 2004, he was awarded the OBE for his work with the Trautmann Foundation, which promoted sportsmanship and exchange programmes between young and amateur players in Germany and the UK.

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504 comments

  • Comment posted by sgsrth, at 13:33 19 Jul 2013

    Famous for two obvious reasons, but as well as these heroic achievements he was also a genuinely quality goalkeeper and a true character and legend of English football

  • Comment posted by User0436575052, at 13:33 19 Jul 2013

    R.I.P. He played in a final with a broken neck? Players nowadays come off if they've hurt their finger!

  • Comment posted by Joe G, at 13:37 19 Jul 2013

    Putting aside the inevitable musings on broken necks and post-war controversies there is a much forgotten but hugely significant contribution he made.

    He introduced to English football the idea of catching a ball in the air, then instead of waiting for the goal area to clear, he swiftly redistributed the ball with a throw to the wing backs and instigated a counter attack.

    Changed the game. RIP.

  • Comment posted by User0448553434, at 13:43 19 Jul 2013

    14.JC
    18.Pafc
    In 50 years time, when almost no-one can remember Rooney & Suarez, Trautmann will still be remembered & honoured for his talent and bravery.
    As well as the background to him becoming a player in England which did so much to help the English, at least, start to reconcile the events of WW2.
    A great sportsman & gentleman
    He is missed already

  • Comment posted by lesdx, at 13:33 19 Jul 2013

    Those of us of a certain age will be sad to see another stalwart of the old school pass away. They really don't make them like Bert and his ilk any more. RIP.

  • Comment posted by SnowDog, at 13:37 19 Jul 2013

    Met Bert about 2 years ago during one of his book signings. Queued for 2 hours and chatted to one of the most humble man and biggest legend in Manchester Football. He will be missed.

  • Comment posted by Superspadgey, at 13:35 19 Jul 2013

    People need to understand the significance of Bert Trautmann before dismissing this story or turning it into a 'my club is better than your club' childish rant.

  • Comment posted by lukey2981, at 13:34 19 Jul 2013

    Uncle Bert is a family friend and I can tell you what a privilege it was to meet him and listen to his amazing stories and ordeals he went through.

    An inspiring, true gentlemen! RIP uncle bert

  • Comment posted by sxgree, at 13:41 19 Jul 2013

    The measure of the man is that he overcame post war prejudice against a German national and and establshed himself as a force for reconciliation through football. He was greater than the game he played.

  • Comment posted by User0831756072, at 14:46 19 Jul 2013

    In Iran we call these men Pahlavan which is not just Champion but something more than just a Champion. Probably Gentleman/Champion!
    RIP Pahlavan!

  • Comment posted by redshirt7, at 13:34 19 Jul 2013

    Top keeper but an even better man. R I P Bert..

  • Comment posted by User0367147002, at 13:53 19 Jul 2013

    There is a time and a place for banter between rivals.
    Equally, there's a time and place when people rise about that and pay due respect to someone.
    A good man has passed away. He gave a lot to football. It's not too much to ask that people give a little respect back.
    Normal banter can be resumed on other threads.

  • Comment posted by MCFC_TID, at 13:31 19 Jul 2013

    City legend, RIP Bert we'll never forget you

  • Comment posted by cml, at 14:00 19 Jul 2013

    a former WW2 German paratrooper who played for Manchester City, I should, as an English fan of Manchester United, loathe him..... but I doubt you'll find a football fan of any description who doesn't admire him hugely. One of the greats.

  • Comment posted by User0248525522, at 13:42 19 Jul 2013

    Bert Trautmann represented all that was great about Manchester City FC and in the 1950s and 1960s helped bestow the club with a dignity that is so lacking these days. Passionate, brave, loyal and a true gentleman. A sporting legend who was admired by fans of all clubs. RIP.

  • Comment posted by User0949094655, at 13:48 19 Jul 2013

    A reminder that the history of English football didn't start in 1992.

    What a story ........and what a man Bert Trautmann was.

  • Comment posted by User0365037115, at 15:56 19 Jul 2013

    Trautmann will probably still report for training on Monday morning

  • Comment posted by User0730985708, at 13:31 19 Jul 2013

    played with a broken neck. hero. RIP

  • Comment posted by User0137939827, at 13:40 19 Jul 2013

    You see players nowadays rolling around in agony because someone nudged them. This guy carried on playing with a major injury. Legend. RIP

  • Comment posted by 1878onwards, at 17:45 19 Jul 2013

    Even this Utd fan bows his head in respect to the man.
    A broken neck...and he played on!!!
    Unbelievable.
    Every player in the game should be told to read the story and watch the video. And the next time they break a fingernail and roll about as if shot.....be told to man up!!
    RIP big fellah.

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