'I did my school entrance exam on Bert Trautmann!' Fan stories
Ken: Back in the 1950s, my father took me to my first football match at Old Trafford. When we arrived home, l was very upbeat and wanted to go again the following Saturday. My father explained that United only played at home every other week. l told my father that another Manchester team - Manchester City - were playing at home next week. "We don't go there" he replied.But the following week, he came home with two tickets for the main stand, given to him by a work colleague. I think it was Man City v West Brom and it was dire and very one-sided, with West Brom laying siege to City's goal. But Bert Trautmann was in inspired form. In the second half, City got on the break and scored to win the match 1-0.He became my sporting hero and he was the subject I chose for my entrance exam to Stretford technical college, when I was 13 years old. The task was to write about your sporting hero, so it's the easiest exam I've ever taken. I was lucky enough to meet Bert in the Platt Lane stand many years later. I introduced myself as a big fan but then people started to realise who he was and he made his apologies and left. A City legend who should have his statue with the other greats.
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