Paperback: 256 pages 2005 Edition
From Enemy to Icon
The Bert Trautmann Story
In the autumn of 1949, an unexpected hero appeared between the goalposts at Maine Road. Author Alan Rowlands masterfully paints the portrait of Bernhard Trautmann, known affectionately as Bert, whose journey from Wehrmacht soldier to Manchester City legend reads like a work of fiction. Through meticulous research and compelling narrative, Rowlands reveals how a former German paratrooper captured not just opposing strikers' shots but the hearts of a nation still nursing its war wounds.
The author's attention to detail shines through as he describes Trautmann's early years in Bremen, where the young lad's athletic prowess was evident even before he could properly spell 'goalkeeper'. Rowlands skilfully weaves together the political tensions of 1920s Germany with the personal story of a boy who would later face those same tensions on English soil.
What makes Rowlands' account particularly engaging is his ability to capture the nuanced transformation of public opinion. From the initial hostility—where 20,000 people protested his signing—to becoming one of Maine Road's most beloved figures, the author charts this remarkable journey with both sensitivity and journalistic precision. His portrayal of Trautmann's legendary 1956 FA Cup Final performance reads like a thriller, as he played on with a broken neck, yet it never strays from historical accuracy.
The biography's strongest passages come when Rowlands explores the human side of his subject. He reveals Trautmann's struggles with identity, belonging, and personal tragedy—particularly the devastating loss of his young son John just weeks after that famous Cup Final. The author's extensive interviews with Trautmann himself lend an authenticity to these emotional moments that mere research could never achieve.
Through Rowlands' careful prose, we see how Trautmann became more than just a footballer. He emerged as a symbol of post-war reconciliation, a living bridge between two nations seeking to heal their wounds. The author's description of Trautmann's evolution from prisoner of war to cultural ambassador is particularly poignant, demonstrating how sport can transcend political boundaries and historical enmities.
Bert Trautmann's Last 10 Years:
During his final decade (2003–2013), Trautmann received several honours and continued his work in Anglo-German relations. In 2004, he was awarded an OBE for his work with the Trautmann Foundation, which promoted sportsmanship and exchange programs among British and German youngsters. He spent his later years in La Llosa, near Valencia, Spain, where he lived with his wife, Marlies. He suffered two heart attacks in early 2013 and passed away at his home on July 19, 2013, at the age of 89. His legacy lives on through the foundation's work and his remarkable story of reconciliation between Britain and Germany.
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Publisher: DB Publishing; Paperback edition
Published: November 29, 2005
Price: £17.50
Hardcover: 256 pages
ISBN-10: 1859834914
ISBN-13: 978-1859834916
Dimensions: 156 x 233 (mm)
Lavishly illustrated
Weight: 650g
NEW - MINT - PRISTINE - NEVER BEEN OPENED
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