RIP BERT TRAUTMANN

Nick 0208 Ldn

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:(

Such a life and much more than that FA Cup Final, if it is okay i'd like to recommend this book about Trautuman.



Trautman's Journey: From Hitler Youth to FA Cup Legend.

'He was the best goalkeeper I ever played against.' Bobby Charlton

Every football fan knows the legend of Bert Trautmann. Fifteen minutes from the end of the 1956 FA Cup Final, Trautmann - the goalkeeper for Manchester City - falls spectacularly mid-tackle. He continues to play on to the end of the game, ensuring Manchester City win the cup. An X-ray later reveals a broken neck.

But there is more to this legend than a plucky goalkeeper. Bert Trautmann was born Bernhardt Trautmann in Germany in 1923. Brought up in a country already in the grip of National Socialism, he joined the Hitler Youth at the age of ten and went to fight for the Vaterland when he was seventeen. Despite enduring inconceivable hardships in the name of war, Trautmann continued to believe wholeheartedly in the cause. Until one day he stumbled into enemy territory to be greeted by the words, 'Fancy a cup of tea, Fritz?'

What follows is an extraordinary story of transformation. Bernhardt - a Nazi living in a POW camp in Cheshire - becomes Bert. From an amateur footballer working on a bomb disposal unit in Liverpool, to celebrated Manchester City goalkeeper adored by thousands, Catrine Clay charts Trautmann's conversion from Hitler Youth star to all-England football hero, mirroring Europe's own journey through the horrors of war to a fragile post-war peace.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trautmanns-Journey-Hitler-Youth-Legend/dp/0224082884
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Vasey20|13

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Gentleman. Anyone rolling on the floor after being caught in the backdraft of a player that goes past him wants to read about this guy!

RIP.
 

Moriarty

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I was too young to see him play but my dad and grandfather both said he was the equal of Frank Swift who was one of the best ever. Sorry to see such a great player pass away, but he lived a long and full life. RIP.
 

Nogbadthebad

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fortyseven said:
Great man. One of my idols as a kid, before I realised you had to choose between United and City.
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When He played football, you didn't need to choose. Old Trafford one week, Maine road the next was the norm, people didn't travel to away games in general.

One of the good ones was Bert.
 

Wibble

In Gadus Speramus
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When I first started going to games I went to watch City almost as often as I watched United. I'd do to at least 3/4 of United home games and half of City's. The rivalry was far friendlier in the 70's and before.
 

SteveJ

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Rest In Peace, Bert.

 

iczster

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A gentleman by all accounts, the Berties don't have many legends but I think Trautmann qualifies as one
 

decorativeed

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Bert was a true legend in terms of English and world football in my opinion. Few can have claimed to have led such a fascinating life. At times it was tragic and others courageous and heartwarming. A sad coincidence that his opposite number at United while the two teams shared Maine Road died this month too.

RIP Bert.
 
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