Dieser Beitrag wurde am 17.11.2008 im Rahmen der Sendung "Sport Inside" im WDR ausgestrahlt.
Bernhard Trautmann spielte von 1949-1964 für Manchester City im Tor und kam während dieser Zeit auf 545 Einsätze.
1956 erhielt er die Ehrung zum englischen Fußballer des Jahres.
Unsterblich machte er sich im FA Cup Finale 1956 gegen Birmingham City. In der 75. Minute schwer verletzt, hielt er dennoch bis zum Spielende durch und sicherte seinem Verein durch wiederholte Glanzparaden den 3:1 Sieg.
Drei Tage später kam die Diagnose: Bernhard Trautmann hatte sich beim Zusammenprall mit Birmingham City's Peter Murphy das Genick gebrochen. Es war ein Wunder, dass er überhaupt noch am Leben war.
Obwohl Trautmann nie für die deutsche Nationalelf spielen durfte (Sepp Herberger nominierte prinzipiell keine "Legionäre"), zählte er zu den weltbesten Torhütern.
Der russische Torwart Lew Jaschin erklärte einmal: „Es gab nur zwei Weltklasse-Torhüter. Einer war Lew Jaschin, der andere war der deutsche Junge, der in Manchester spielte - Trautmann.
Goalkeeper Bernhard ('Bert') Trautmann played for Manchester City from 1949 to 1964, making 545 appearances.
Named FWA Footballer of the Year for 1956, Trautmann entered football history with his performance in the 1956 FA Cup Final. With 15 minutes of the match remaining Trautmann suffered a serious injury after diving at the feet of Birmingham City's Peter Murphy.
Despite his injury he continued to play, making crucial saves to preserve his team's 3-1 lead. His neck was noticeably crooked as he collected his winners' medal. Three days later an X-ray revealed it to be broken.
The crash broke his neck, but Trautmann finished the game. Today it's often called a medical miracle that Trautmann did not die at this day.
Though recognised as one of the leading goalkeepers of his era, he never played for his country. German national coach Sepp Herberger explained that travel and political implications prevented him from selecting a player who was not readily available.
When Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin was asked to name the greatest goalkeeper ever he replied "There have only been two world-class goalkeepers. One was Lev Yashin, the other was the german boy who played in Manchester - Trautmann."