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1 November 2004
BERLIN – German goalkeeper Bert Trautmann, who famously played in the 1956 FA Cup final for Manchester City with a broken neck, on Monday received the Order of the British Empire honour from Britain’s ambassador to Germany, Sir Peter Torry.
Trautmann, 82, made a stunning transformation from Prisoner of War (which brought him to Britain) to fan favourite at Manchester City and English Footballer of the Year in 1956.
“I am proud and feel very honoured,” said Trautmann. “It is a great honour but not the most important thing in life”.
Trautmann’s hiring by City just four years after the end of World War II in 1949 led to an outcry and massive protests.
But Trautmann won the hearts of the fans with strong showings and his Cup final heroics in 1956 when he played the last 15 minutes of Manchester City’s 3-1 win at Wembley over Birmingham City with a broken neck.
A few months later Trautmann became the first non-English player to win the Footballer of Year award.
Trautmann spent 15 years at Manchester City and afterwards continued to build Anglo-German relations, most lately through his Trautmann Foundation.
Monday’s honour came on the eve of a three-day visit by Queen Elizabeth II to Germany. Trautmann and Arsenal’s German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann have been invited to a reception by the queen on Wednesday.
DPA
Subject: German news