{"product_id":"trautmann-the-biography","title":"Trautmann: The Biography","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the publisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe incredible story of Bernhard Carl Trautmann (Bert), Nazi Youth member, paratrooper, WWII prisoner of war and Manchester City's greatest ever goalkeeper. One of the best footballing biographies ever written.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn April 1945, a group of bedraggled, weary German prisoners of war landed at Tilbury after being captured during the last days of the war. A confused 22-year-old veteran of some of the hardest battles experienced by the Germans found himself in SE Lancs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis name was Bernhard Carl Trautmann, later to become famous as Bert. This book is the complete story. From his early life in Bremen where he was born and his involvement in the Hitler Youth to his often hilarious internment at prisoner of war Camp 50.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter his signing by Manchester City in 1949 amid a barrage of controversy and prejudice, Trautmann ran the gauntlet of racial hatred to become, without doubt, one of the greatest goalkeepers ever seen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe played in two successive FA cup finals, '55 and '56, the latter year bringing him into world focus when he sustained a broken neck. This is an exciting story of courage and humour and it gives an insight into professional football in the 50's and 60's.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost of the later books have leant heavily on this original and best story of the master keeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are unaware how highly Trautmann was rated by his peers, even across the Manchester divide:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"I'll go along with most people who say one man doesn't make a team; but I do believe there are times when one man can save a team. Bert Trautmann was such a man.\" - (Harry Gregg, Manchester United \u0026amp; Northern Ireland)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"At Maine Road once, a ball was headed out to me around the 18-yard area and I caught it on the volley with full power. The area was packed with players and my shot was going straight in the top corner. For me and the other United forwards it was a goal all the way, when suddenly, Bert pulled off quite the most outstanding and best save I have ever seen. How he could have seen my shot through the mass of players I don't know, but he dived from one side of the goal to the other and tipped it over the bar. Bert Trautmann was the best goalkeeper around at the time.\" - (Bobby Charlton, Manchester United \u0026amp; England).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe other image is Bert with Alan Rowlands at a book signing at the Etihad in 2011.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe author:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlan Rowlands was born in Patricroft, Manchester. He spent two years researching and writing Trautmann, travelling extensively within the United Kingdom and Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe has been a contributor to numerous football magazines, radio broadcasts and has worked with The Footballer's Football Channel. He has also contributed to a documentary about the life of Bert Trautmann.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e---\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product_spec\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eDB Publishing\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e23 x 16 cm\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003ePaperback\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e256 pages\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product_spec\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eNovember 2012\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eEnglish\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product_spec\"\u003e9781780911199\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Alan Rowlands","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58962490425725,"sku":null,"price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/stanchionbooks.com\/products\/trautmann-the-biography","provider":"Stanchion Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}