| FRANKFURT FSV 2 CITY 2 Friendly 2nd August 1953 Attendance £35,000 |
From TRAUTMANN THE BIOGRAPHY by Alan Rowlands
The match itself was attended by 35,000 spectators and started spectacularly as the match ball was dropped on to the field by a passing helicopter. Trautmann’s adrenalin was flowing,
he desperately wanted to do well in front of his fellow countrymen, and felt a little annoyed by the lassez-faire attitude of his side, who regarded the game as just a warm up for the season with nothing at stake.
Trautmann had a lot to prove to his nation and to the watching German League club representatives. He urged his team to put on a good show.
After an entertaining but goal-less first half Trautmann and, to his surprise, McDowall urged the team to step up a gear. They did, and established a 2-0 lead, but to Bert’s further annoyance, sat back on their advantage. Don Revie contrived to handle a through ball in the penalty area to give away a penalty, which Bert spectacularly saved. The roar of approval was immense. The German football public had seen the famous Bert Trautmann play for the first time as a professional on his own soil and were completely overwhelmed by his talent and virtuosity. The resulting 2-2 draw was an acceptable result, and after a pleasant three day visit the City organisation returned to Manchester to start the new First Division campaign.
The match itself was attended by 35,000 spectators and started spectacularly as the match ball was dropped on to the field by a passing helicopter. Trautmann’s adrenalin was flowing,
he desperately wanted to do well in front of his fellow countrymen, and felt a little annoyed by the lassez-faire attitude of his side, who regarded the game as just a warm up for the season with nothing at stake.Trautmann had a lot to prove to his nation and to the watching German League club representatives. He urged his team to put on a good show.
After an entertaining but goal-less first half Trautmann and, to his surprise, McDowall urged the team to step up a gear. They did, and established a 2-0 lead, but to Bert’s further annoyance, sat back on their advantage. Don Revie contrived to handle a through ball in the penalty area to give away a penalty, which Bert spectacularly saved. The roar of approval was immense. The German football public had seen the famous Bert Trautmann play for the first time as a professional on his own soil and were completely overwhelmed by his talent and virtuosity. The resulting 2-2 draw was an acceptable result, and after a pleasant three day visit the City organisation returned to Manchester to start the new First Division campaign.
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