The Bert Trautmann Story

[robsta]

I haven't read all the thread so sorry if this has already been mentioned.

Watching those old match clips I noticed that every time Bert caught the ball he ran and drop kicked up the field as soon as he could. Not even looking who was up there but just launching it. Funny how the game as changed and how we expect keepers to have good distribution as part of their game. And how the modern preference is to build from the back (unless your team is managed by Big Fat Sam).

Never heard of the Revie plan? Bert and the team knew exactly where he was 'launching it'!

Bit before my time but yeah I know of the Revie plan. Still not convinced that's where all those launched balls were landnig (but like I said, I never saw it in action so if you tell me they did then I believe you). If they were then Revie must have had his work cut out to handle them. The thing that was most noticeable was the speed with which Bert let it go after catching it. Quite a comparison to Joe Hart at the moment and him appearing to be in a rush launch one and then hanging on to it.

 

[Nelly's Left Foot]

Think they could have shown more footage of him playing for city.. and mentioned more of his team mates at the time he played for us..

They could have given the stats on how many games he played clean sheets etc..

I was a bit disappointed with the people who put it together. Back in January I got an email out of the Blues asking if I could help them source City memorabilia, imagery and so on, so I replied straight away saying I'd be delighted to help.

I have some great stuff myself, but also have tracked down lots of images and footage of Bert over the years.

Anyway, I didn't get a reply (even though they'd approached me first!). So I assumed the programme wasn't happening and forgot about it until I spotted a mention here on Bluemoon 2-3 weeks ago. I emailed the person who had first contacted me and again didn't get a reply. Ultimately, I tracked down the producer and his response was 'we've made it now'.

It's a real shame, but there is some incredible Bert material out there - I've posted before links to the stuff on Pathe. The opening minutes of this show Bert on top form and throwing out - if only all goalies today could get an attack going with this ease:

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=40315" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=40315</a>

There's lots more than that out there, not just at Pathe.

EDIT: Although Bert's only briefly on the next clip, it's interesting because City get an indirect free kick in the penalty area after Johnstone was obstructed - surely we should have had a pen: <a class="postlink" href="http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=39121" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=39121</a>

Wow in the clips of that Everton game we scored two goals from headers by Joe Hayes and Bobby Johnstone. That's like SWP heading two in!!

 

[silverback]

You have to remember that goalkeepers were fair game in those days. It was in their interest to get rid of the ball quickly.
Back to the film, the Jewish protests shown were ordinary fans queuing for tickets, dramatic license?

 

[buzzer1]

isnt that a small town near WIGAN

Yea mate I suppose it is, just Like that place your from a small town outside of Manchester!!! Ha ha

Thats right rsole, you tell him Dan. ;)

 

[Tricky Dickys Right Foot Shot]

thought that bit about him having his first woman/fuck at 33!!!! wow...

oi cloth ears

he said 23

In all fairness he was in the war at the age of 17 pretty hard to shag anything during that circumstance.

I've never heard anyone praise this county like Bert did in that documentary, it made me feel some pride in the country I've lost so much faith in over the past couple of years.

Also I like the fact some narrow minded United fans I know keep calling him a "Nazi fuck" its embarrassing that people are so narrow minded and don't have the slightest clue.

 

[kenkladze]

I had forgotten that the 56 ref only had one arm, also great to see big Bill Leivers again.

So did he keep his whistle in his mouth all the time..? I presume he'd have to cos if he blew for a free kick or summat, he'd need to point which way it was..

It's just as well they didn't have a card system then - He'd be f***ked trying to write the offenders name down , whilst brandishing it !!!

 

[Bluefen]

Did anyone record it or have it available as an mpeg ?

Sky+ it and just went to watch it and it clashed... it never clashes when the Mrs want flippin Coronation St

 

[Dyed Petya]

Re: The Bert Trautmann Story: Essential Viewing

Smart looking documentary being advertised this week on the Yesterday channel.

It'll be shown on 24th March at 9pm.

To many, Bert Trautmann is one of the most popular post-war goalkeepers to have ever played in British football, thanks mainly to his heroic exploits in the 1956 FA Cup final – playing for Manchester City he broke his neck after a courageous save but continued playing until the final whistle, and a City victory.

To thousands he was a hero, but Bert hid a dark secret.

This UK premiere documentary tells the remarkable story of a former Hitler Youth devotee and Nazi soldier captured by the British who, after serving his time as a prisoner of war in Lancashire, went on to become one of Britain’s most popular goalkeepers.

Told by Bert himself – now in his 88th year – his story starts with childhood, where he was regarded as the perfect Aryan boy, and then encompasses German soldierhood at the age of 18, how he won two Iron Crosses, how he was taken prisoner by the British in 1945, and how he excelled as a goalkeeper in the German POW football team.

This developed into a new career and he signed for Manchester City in 1949, even though there was a huge protest by the city’s local Jewish community. It was only when he played in the infamous 1956 FA Cup final that Bert’s reputation was saved, and remade.

The extraordinary story of an extraordinary life.

I'm glad this documentary was aired and I'll be interested to watch it if I get the chance. Bert has a fascinating story which deserves to be told. And for these know-nothing, post-1993 idiots we sometimes get from other clubs with with their moronic no history jibes, it's just one more pointer that the large bulk of our history was spent as a big-time club with its share of truly great players and towering figures in the game (Bert in his time being both those things).

That programme description, though, contains a huge inaccuracy, which I've highlighted. Bert made big strides towards overcoming the initial hostility towards him more or less straightaway, and certainly didn't have to wait several years to do so. He received a standing ovation after a game away to Fulham, for instance, which was one of his very early City appearances. The final in 1956, and what he did in it, cemented his place in football legend, but nothing more than that.

Maybe the statement above is an example of sloppy research, or ignorance on the part of whoever wrote that blurb. However, if it's an exaggeration to make the story sound more exciting, then that's laughably unnecessary in Bert's case.

 

[ChesterRdBlue]

It was a good watch, I really felt for him when he mentioned his son and wife. It would be good if city, with the help of Gary James could pick the story up and get some more detail on the football side.

 

[harry the plumber]

Apparently baconface as complained about the t.v being biased towards City by showing a programe about Bert playing with a broken kneck.
So next week the programe will be about Nanis cut knee.