Wikipedia:Today's featured article/October 22, 2009

Bert Trautmann (born 1923) is a retired German football goalkeeper who played for Manchester City from 1949 to 1964. Brought up during times of inter-war strife in Germany, Trautmann joined the Luftwaffe early in the Second World War, serving as a paratrooper. He fought at the Eastern Front for three years, earning five medals including an Iron Cross. Later in the war he was transferred to the Western Front, where he was captured by the British as the war drew to a close. One of only 90 of his original 1,000-man regiment to survive the war, he was transferred to a prisoner-of-war camp in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Lancashire. Following his release in 1948 he settled in Lancashire, combining farm work with playing as goalkeeper for local football team St Helens Town. In October 1949 he signed for Manchester City, a club playing in the highest level of football in the country, the First Division. The club's decision to sign a former Axis paratrooper sparked protests, with 20,000 people attending a demonstration. Over time he gained acceptance through his performances in the City goal, playing all but five of the club's next 250 matches. Trautmann entered football folklore with his performance in the 1956 FA Cup Final. Despite suffering a serious injury after diving at the feet of Birmingham City's Peter Murphy, he continued to play, making crucial saves to preserve his team's 3–1 lead. His neck was noticeably crooked as he collected his winner's medal; three days later an X-ray revealed it to be broken. (more...)

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