You could visit Maine Road, where we used to play (and where we played Schalke in the 70s). Its now a housing development but we still have fond memories of the place.
One of the streets on the new estate is called Trautmann Close, named after a famous German - Bert Trautmann. He was a Prisoner of War turned goalkeeper, and was said to have learned to dive as a goalkeeper as a result of his training as a paratrooper. Obviously it must have been difficult to be German at that time, but he won the City supporters over, culminating in him playing for us in 1956 FA Cup Final. He broke his neck during the game but played on and we won.
We've had several German players in our history, but aside from Leroy of the current crop, Uwe Rösler is arguably the most popular from recent times (1990's). He has quite an interesting story too growing up in Eastern Germany, then playing for the likes of Nürnberg and Kaiserslautern (in the 1/4 Finals of the Champions League), before surviving Cancer. He has managed several teams in England (including beating City with Wigan), but is still very fondly remembered by City fans (that are old enough to remember him). He fell in love with the club and named his sons Colin and Tony after former city players Colin Bell and Tony Book. As far as I know both play for City's academy and Colin has played for the EDS in the Youth Champions League this season.
If you're after a decent pint whilst you're over, I'd suggest the Albert Schloss. You'll get your Weiß biers, Schweinshaxe and Schnitzels etc.
Once you're done, please can you find a way to post a link on here so we can see the finished piece (even if its in German)? Thanks
Myself and @Scaring Europe to Death had a bit of a race - which I won :), to get to all the Bundesliga grounds. I think he has me beat on Buli 2 grounds at the minute and I know he has been to most grounds more than once unlike me.
In my opinion, the worst German grounds are the modern ones, as they're all just a repeat of each other, eg Augsburg, Hoffenheim, Aachen with different colour seats. We have the same over here though with the likes of Derby, Middlesbrough, Leicester, Southampton etc. No real character to them (or soul).
I find it difficult to choose between Bremen or Kaiserslautern as my favourite German stadium (to date). Köln, Frankfurt and Hertha Berlin are up there too.
Hi,
that's interesting. I always recommend my colleagues from abroad to visit a game in Bochum. It is a smaller and old fashioned stadium with good views from all places, good atmosphere and also only 10 min walk to the city and bars. Union Berlin has also a very strong support. What were the worst grounds you visited?
I think, most of the Germans have sympathies for Liverpool in these days because of Jürgen Klopp who is a popular and charismatic figure here till date.
@11freunde/11friends beyond Football, Manchester is probably most famous for Music.
Oasis are the obvious link with City, but you've got huge bands such as the Stone Roses, The Smiths, New Order, Joy Division, and more recently the Courteeners, Blossoms (technically Stockport), to name just a few. My personal favourites - Doves, are just about to get back together and are all match going City fans.
Thanks for your help. If you send me an e-mail (ron.ulrich@11freunde.de) with your address details, I could send you a copy of the magazine.
Yes, we know Trautmann very well. My colleague managed to interview him, it is a pity that we only have it in German for he was a very entertaining speaker https://www.11freunde.de/interview/bernd-trautmann-ueber-seine-grosse-karriere-england
Rösler always enthuses about City - and he was often asked about Old Trafford and his grandad.