Flashback: From a Nazi Past to Football Legend – The Extraordinary Journey of Bert Trautmann

On 5 May 1956, Wembley Stadium set the scene for an epic FA Cup final between Manchester City and Birmingham City, drawing an audience of approximately one hundred thousand enthusiastic fans. This match is celebrated as one of the defining moments in the history of football’s oldest tournament, which originally commenced in 1872.

In the dying moments of the game, Bert Trautmann, Manchester City’s goalkeeper, endured a broken neck following a fierce tackle from an opponent. Remarkably, despite his grave injury, Trautmann persisted to play through the pain, ultimately leading his team to victory—a testament to his unyielding spirit and resilience throughout his extraordinary life.

Haunting wartime history

Born into a working-class family in Bremen, Germany, in 1923, Bernhard Trautmann joined the Jungvolk at just 10 years of age—this junior branch of the Hitlerjugend aimed to instil Nazi ideology through outdoor activities and sports for boys aged 10 to 13.

As the Second World War progressed, Trautmann enlisted in the Luftwaffe and became a paratrooper, spending three years fighting on the Eastern Front and earning five medals for his service. Eventually, he was assigned to the Western Front, where he was captured by British forces as the conflict neared its conclusion.

Designated a category ‘C’ prisoner (indicating he was viewed as a true Nazi), he was one of only 90 survivors from his original regiment of 1,000 men and was held in a prisoner-of-war camp in Ashton, Lancashire.

Rejecting an opportunity for repatriation, Trautmann decided to remain in Lancashire after his release in 1948. He combined farming with playing football for St Helens Town, a local club.

A journey from disgrace to glory

Bernhard Trautmann’s impressive displays at St Helens caught the eye of larger clubs, leading to the adoption of the English name Bert. In 1949, he signed with Manchester City, who were then competing in the top division.

The club’s choice to sign a former Nazi soldier incited public outrage, prompting a protest that saw 20,000 participants. However, Trautmann gradually won over critics with his consistent performances, appearing in all but five of the next 250 matches for the club.

Renowned for his exceptional shot-stopping—particularly in saving penalties, with a remarkable success rate of 60%—he also gained accolades for his fearless plays and outstanding reflexes.

In 1956, he was crowned Footballer of the Year and played a pivotal role in helping Manchester City secure a major trophy that same year, particularly at the historic FA Cup final on 5 May between his team and Birmingham City.

Severe injury and other hardships

During the 75th minute of the FA Cup final, as he dived to intercept a ball, Trautmann met a severe fate when he collided with Peter Murphy of Birmingham City, sustaining a critical injury to his neck. With no substitutes allowed at the time, Trautmann, dazed and visibly shaken, remained in the game.

For the final 15 minutes, he continued to defend his goal, producing several vital saves as Manchester City clung to their lead for victory. Reflecting on the experience, Trautmann later confessed that he played the closing stages ‘in a sort of fog.’

The true extent of his injury was revealed only four days later when an X-ray showed a fractured vertebra, with his doctor remarking, “You should be dead.”

Trautmann’s recovery spanned several months, causing him to miss a considerable portion of the 1956/57 season. This challenging period was exacerbated by an even greater tragedy: he and his wife Margaret suffered the loss of their first child, John, who tragically died in a car accident at the age of five, merely months after the FA Cup final.

Although Bert and Margaret went on to have two more sons, the shadow of John’s passing left an indelible mark on their relationship, ultimately leading to their divorce in 1972. Trautmann later married twice more before passing away in 2013 at the age of 89.

The incredible life story of Trautmann is compellingly depicted in the biographical film The Keeper (2018), directed by Marcus H. Rosenmuller. This film is certainly a must-watch, even for those who may not be avid football fans.