RIP - Bert Trautmann - City and Footballing Legend

[Blue Jam]

Hard to write something that does justice to the man. Heroism is not something I ever use to describe a footballing endeavour but Bert was a hero for many reasons.

RIP Bert... a true sporting and political hero to Blues and non Blues alike.

[mcfc1632]

He was very happy and comfortable in his Valencia home - apparently his will states that he wishes to be cremated and have his ashes spread across the beach where he has lived.

We can at least be happy to know that he lived a very happy and comfortable life.

I hear that he was apparently oft heard to comment on how he wished that he had been born in an era when players get paid so much - can you imagine that in the days when he was a 1st team player, including the cup year, he used to go to play for CITY by catching the bus there and back - (192 in my days it would have been). Can you imagine players today getting their heads around that?

[Wonderwall]

He was very happy and comfortable in his Valencia home - apparently his will states that he wishes to be cremated and have his ashes spread across the beach where he has lived.

We can at least be happy to know that he lived a very comfortable life.

I hear that he was apparently oft heard to comment on how he wished that he had been born in an era when players get paid so much - can you imagine that in the days when he was a 1st team player, including the cup year, he used to go to play for CITY by catching the bus there and back - 192 I think!! Can you imagine players today getting their heads around that?

Never.

192 was my chosen transport too

[mcfc1632]

Yes - it was probably a different number back then but he used to go to play for CITY by bus - and then back after the match the same way - crazy heh!

[Wonderwall]

Yes - it was probably a different number back then but he used to go to play for CITY by bus - and then back after the match the same way - crazy heh!

Different world indeed.,

[mcfc1632]

Chatting to my mate tonight (the family member) it really makes you think about how life must have been then.

It seems that when Bert was 'released' it was on the condition of my mates grandfather looking after him (he had been something like the warden) and Bert went to live with that family for many years - eventually marrying the oldest daughter (his 1st wife).

I think it was something like this guy used to coach St Helens FC and got Bert playing there and from there he went onwards to CITY - been finding the insights to that world of yesteryear very illuminating

[john@staustell]

Watched the life-story documentary of Yesterday channel last night. What a lot that man went through.

A full life indeed and always spoken about with such modesty when he was interviewed.

Surviving 3 years as a paratrooper on the eastern front must have made the protests he had to face at Maine Road seem insignificant.

A great man.

And it must shock those 'football started in 1992' fools that we have history!

[Swales4ever]

A true hero and an old style gentleman.

RIP Bert Trautmann, legend not only to the Blues hearts.

Gone, missed but never forgotten, indeed.

[Ted Hughes]

Can't watch any programmes etc about this as am out of the country, but members of my family watched Bert regularly for City but also before that when people would talk about this fantastic POW keeper & crowds would come to see him play small games.

The word 'legend' is used to describe footballers who were quite good (or even not so good) these days.

When you compare these people to Bert, you realise how ridiculous that is.

If ever there was a 'legend' in football, it is this man & few, if any, can compare.

A City great, a world football great & an inspiration .

RIP Bert.

[razor400]

Terrible news. RIP Burt.

[Blue Since 76]

Saw this on Twitter and have decided that it's more a respectful comment at what he did than a joke at his death, so hopefully no one will be offended...

Bert Trautmann has died aged 89. He intends to carry on playing.

[mr_nool]

They have a nice commemorative article about Bert on the Dutch teletext, which surprised me a bit.
It puts both Trautman and City in a very good light.

[Dameerto]

Saw this on Twitter and have decided that it's more a respectful comment at what he did than a joke at his death, so hopefully no one will be offended...

Bert Trautmann has died aged 89. He intends to carry on playing.

It's "Typical City" to me mate - so I doubt many people who actually know anything about the man or our club/fans will be offended but you never know.

[Ted Hughes]

Does anyone have any stories about Bert ( I'll spell it right now I've sorted the hangover) playing on crappy little pitches during his pre City days?

I was told of such occasions but cant remember much of the detail.

[dazby]

As a young lad I did a bit of research on MCFC to make sure I had picked the right team. Bert's story was not only a confirmation but filled me with pride that I'd made the right choice.

[mcfc1632]

for those going to the Newcastle game it might be good to plan to stay for a little while after the game as I hear that CITY intend to make a tribute. Apparently this will include players coming out in keeper jerseys and some event in CITY Square after the game, a good mate of mine is a family member and has been invited up so I should be able to get some details

As an aside - an absolute legend yes, but good parenting seems not to have been one of his attributes. I hear that most of his family are rags (thankfully not my mate)

[PrezIke]

very, very late on this, but as a more recent supporter, when i read about who he was after he passed; what he did for football on the pitch and for positive relations between england and germany in a clearly difficult time for a player of his background i am thoroughly impressed and more proud of our club's history as a result.

[BobbyJ1956]

Does anyone have any stories about Bert ( I'll spell it right now I've sorted the hangover) playing on crappy little pitches during his pre City days?

I was told of such occasions but cant remember much of the detail.

Not pre-City but there was the match away to Southend during the 1956 FA Cup run. They put sand and cockleshells on the pitch to deal with all the rain they'd had. City won 1-0 and i think Bert had one of his best games.

[Nickyboy]

The bert story is on yesterday again tonight at 11 for anyone who hasn't seen it its a very good watch

[mcfc1632]

Just bumping this to remind everyone going to the game that there is going to be a number of things going on at the Newcastle game to remember Bert - so people may want to take their seats in good time and perhaps plan to stay a bit after the match