Bert, along with Lev Yashin were two giant goalkeepers of the day that were regarded as the best that was until I saw Pat Jennings and England's own remarkable Gordon Banks. A good article by the way, very informative, I like the bit where being captured by the Brits and expexted to be shot he was instead offered a cup of tea lol.
The guy next door is a Manchester City fan and saw Bert Trautmann's first match at Maine Road saying fans were split as to signing him because of his German war background. I am told that another great giant goalkeeper preceded him at Man City- Frank Swift who was England's goalkeeper through the war years and after until he retired in 1949. Frank Swift died in Germany in the Munich air disaster in 1958. My husband's all time favourite goalkeeper is Lev Yashin but had great admiration for Trautmann, particularly his ability to save penalties in the days when goalkeepers had to remain still with both feet on the line before the ball was struck. RIP Bert.
Mrs BMB I believe Frank was on that ill fated plane as a reporter for the local Manchester rag having turned to journalism after playing, and yes another remarkable fete to Bert following such a Manchester City icon as Frank Swift.
