Bert Trautmann

Bernhard Carl "Bert" Trautmann, OBE (22 October 1923 – 19 July 2013) was a German footballer. He played from 1949 to 1964 for Manchester City as the keeper. Trautmann was almost unknown in Germany, and never played in the national team of his country. But in Manchester, he was one of the most popular players.

Early life
Bert Trautmann was born on 22 October 1923. He began playing football at age 10, when he was 18 he had to go to do his military service for the German Nazi-Regime. The paratrooper was first imprisoned by the Soviet, later by the British army. He did not leave Britain after his release, and became a professional football player.

Career
After some time he joined Manchester City. At first, the fans hated the "Nazi boy", but they soon accepted him. He was a leading goalkeeper for ten years in the English first division (which was then the top division). In the 1956 FA Cup final, it the 75th minute,  Trautmann was hit by a Birmingham City player. The crash broke his neck, but Trautmann finished the game. It was often called a medical miracle that Trautmann did not die on that day.

Personal life
Just a few days after Trautmann's medical miracle, his 5-year-old son died in a car crash. In 1950 he married for the first time, and in 1990 he remarried. In 2004 he was honored by Queen Elizabeth II.

Death
Trautmann died on 19 July 2013 from probable heart failure after suffering two previous heart attacks. He was 89 years old.

References

Other websites
 The Trautmann Foundation 
 Bert Trautmann, video clip of FA cup Final 1956: BBC Motion Gallery 
 English Football Hall of Fame profile 
 Bert Trautmann in the Museum of Goalkeeping 
 Bert Trautmann @ Goalkeeping Greats 

Category:1923 births
Category:2013 deaths
Category:Deaths from heart failure
Category:German association football goalkeepers
Category:Manchester City F.C. players
Category:Sportspeople from Bremen (state)
Category:SC Preußen Münster managers