German Soccer Legend Bert Trautmann & Knight Of Football Sir Tom Finney Unveil Trautmanns 1956 Neck Brace At The National Football Museum

Legendary Manchester City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann visited the National Football Museum in the build up to this year's ‘ National Football Museum Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony ', which is being supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

The keeper, who famously broke his neck in City's, 3-1, 1956 FA Cup final victory over Birmingham City, visited the Museum on Wednesday 19th October. And there to meet him was football Knight, Sir Tom Finney.

Finney was delighted that he was able to rekindle old acquaintances with the man who became the first goalkeeper to be named footballer of the year in 1956 and of whom Bobby Charlton said “I have never seen a goalkeeper to compare with Trautmann in the 1950s”.

Mark Bushell from the Museum said: “We are delighted that Bert attended this years Hall of Fame . He was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame which is a tremendous reward for an individual who not only performed heroically between the posts but also, as an ex German prisoner of war, had to be put up with a lot of abuse with a great deal of dignity, just after the war. I am extremely pleased that he got the opportunity to see the Museums world class exhibitions”

And Bert also got the chance to be reunited with the neck brace that he was issued with directly after the 1956 FA Cup final. It was only after the game that it was discovered that his neck was broken. He also got the chance to have a sneak preview of this years newly designed award.

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), who are headline sponsor of the Hall of Fame event said: “England's Northwest is the birthplace of professional football, making it a very fitting location for the National Football Museum and its Hall of Fame. We were delighted to welcome Bert back to the region. His visit made for an exciting build up to this prestigious event.”

Trautmann, born in Bremen, Germany, in 1923 signed for Manchester City in 1949 from St Helens. When he retired in 1964 he was the longest serving player on the books. His style of play influenced many goalkeepers of the day who copied the way in which he moved the ball quickly, after he had caught it, up field with a 40 yard throw.

The National Football Museum Hall of Fame Induction ceremony took place at the Lowry Hotel, Manchester on Thursday 20th October.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England 's Northwest and has 5 key priorities: Business Development, Regeneration, Skills & Employment, Infrastructure and Image