RIP - Bert Trautmann - City and Footballing Legend

[Herb]

Now there was a man who played the game and lived his life in a way that served as an exemplar to us all. A polite and very humble man who proved himself a true hero by putting himself on the line time and time again for all the right reasons.
I'll be raising a glass to this fella tonight.

[Bluedj]

RIP Bert, always in the heart of MCFC. God bless!

[trout man]

He was my hero as a child and as a man, he inspired True Grit and an ability to overcome whatever life threw at him. He was unity, forgiveness, compassion and humanity. No City fan will ever forget him, a true legend. My condolences to his family and friends, may he rest in peace.

Mate, my family came over here in the 1950s from Ireland (aunts, uncles, grandparents, the lot). And the whole family became City fans immediately because of Bert. Not just because of how good he was, nor because he was a 'star', but because of the life he had led, the traumas he had overcome and the dignity he always showed. He's the reason I'm a blue and my little daughter's a blue. A true City legend, indeed. And god bless him and his family.

My family history is very similar though my mum and dad were from the North and married despite being from opposite sides of the divide. My family always viewed Bert as a catalyst for reconciliation, purely by the character he portrayed within himself and towards others and was an example to all. My dad went to Maine road during the 50's and 60's and returned home in the late 60's we are all die hard City fans in our family, girls and boys; and Bert had a big part in that.

[MCFChistory]

For anyone looking for an-depth study of Trautmann's life I'd recommend Trautmann: The Biography by Alan Rowlands.

The book helps you appreciate the horrors Trautmann endured on the Eastern Front, which include spending three days trapped in the rubble of an empty school building after an allied bombing raid, able only to move one arm. There's also a great story about his first experiences with British people, which helps you understand why he loved this country so much. After being captured by the Americans in 1945, Trautmann was marched into a field at gunpoint. Believing he was about to be shot he ran for his life, threw himself over a hedgerow – and landed at the feet of a British soldier. But this time the reception was a little more welcoming. “Hello Fritz, fancy a cup of tea?” the soldier asked him.

According to Mike Doyle's autobiography Blue Blood, as well as being one of City's most gifted players ever Trautmann was also one of the toughest. A young Doyle once made the mistake of poking fun at Trautmann following an 8-1 defeat to Wolves. The ex-paratrooper's response was to pick Doyle up by the collar, pin him against the boot room wall and say: “You show some fucking respect!”. Doyle, who was close to tears, did what he was told.

[Evenmydoghatesunited]

God may he rest in peace

[City64]

True Hero , Legend . RIP

[MaineRoadMemories]

True legend. I back the campaign to rename the south stand in his name.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Just suffered two family bereavements in the same week and, somehow, football seemed so very far away......and then I came home tonight and heard the news about Bert.

It's absolutely heartbreaking, as the great man transcended football and was a colossus of a human being, added to which he was my boyhood hero and the reason I fell in love with City.

Thanks for all the memories Bert, they certainly don't make them like you any more.

Sic transit gloria mundi.

[Blue Since 76]

True legend. I back the campaign to rename the south stand in his name.

Not so fast. Stand yes, but north stand, please.

[gillie]

RIP Bert a true gent and legend.

[Steamboat1951]

The first City game I saw was the Final against Birmingham , and the reason I have been a Blue ever since. I had the great honour of meeting him at a Dinner in his on our at the Piccadilly Hotel

[budfox]

One of the players who defines precisely what it means to be a City fan, and certainly one of the genuine legends of the game.

[Superbia]

A statue outside the ground would be fitting

[Green & Blue]

A true City legend whos memory will always be celebrated in Citys history.Rip Bert.

[Goataldo]

What a life, what a story. And by all accounts whajt a gent. My phone will noy let me edit that. Also, perhaps worth mentioning; I've seen a lot of rags commenting, and all respectful and decent. Some credit there.

[Goataldo]

What a life, what a story. And by all accounts whajt a gent. My phone will noy let me edit that. Also, perhaps worth mentioning; I've seen a lot of rags commenting, and all respectful and decent. Some credit there.

[Goaters 103]

RIP Bert. That was some life you had. Forever etched into City history and football folklore.

[gillie]

What a life, what a story. And by all accounts whajt a gent. My phone will noy let me edit that. Also, perhaps worth mentioning; I've seen a lot of rags commenting, and all respectful and decent. Some credit there.

Chris there is one arsehole rag on twitter that was disrespecting Bert but i think he is going to get his collar felt for racism check out the twitter cage.

[BobbyJ1956]

R.I.P. Bert. At peace with his son now. A good man and a great man. Just seen the report on Granada news with the clips from the early days of folk protesting at City signing him then the crowds cheering for him when the team came home with the Cup. 90 years. Born German, became a Manc. God bless.

[ELB]

The Mighty goalkeeper legend Bert Trautman. He was the main reason for me supporting Manchester City in the early fifties and will forever be my hero

Rest in Peace Bert