What was remarkable about the Manchester City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann's role in the 1956 FA Cup Final?

Bernhard Carl Trautmann (1923-2013), known as "Bert", was a German born footballer who played for Manchester City, in the then First Division of the Football League. In the 1956 FA Cup Final at Wembley, played against Birmingham City, Trautmann was injured in a collision, but despite being unconscious for several minutes, played on, and Manchester City won 3-1. A subsequent x-ray revealed that a bone in his neck was broken.

Trautmann's life story is a compelling one of hope and reconciliation emerging from the darkest period of 20th century history. As a child he had to join the junior division of the Hitler Youth, known as the "Jungvolk", and later joined the Luftwaffe (the German Air Force) where he served as a paratrooper, and was honoured with the Iron Cross. But he was never a supporter of the Nazi regime, and when he was taken prisoner and held in Lancashire in the North of England, he expressed a wish not to return to his homeland after the war, though he never renounced his citizenship. Initially he played for a local amateur team, but his skills were soon recognised and he signed for Manchester City.

After retiring in 1964 he worked in broadcasting and coaching and helped in the advancement of football in the developing world. He was honoured by the Queen for his services to Anglo-German relations.