On this Day: Manchester City Won 1956 FA Cup Final

Of all the FA Cup Finals which have taken place, the 1956 Final is one of the most famous.

The Manchester City FA Cup victory in 1956 is so etched in the collective memory because of the exploits of one player – Bert Trautmann. People may not recall the score, or even the opponents but people always remember that this was the game where Bert broke his neck and played on.

This incident is so famous because it seems, amongst other things, to summon notions of bravery and derring do. So famous is this story it has even been made into a major motion picture which is still playing at the cinemas called The Keeper.

The 1956 FA Cup Final is simply put- The Trautmann Final. Manchester City edged to a 3:1 win over Birmingham City at Wembley Stadium in front of 100,000 spectators.

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This was actually Manchester City’s 6th appearance in the FA Cup Final, a fact which is often overlooked. City had been beaten in 1926, 1933 and the year before in1955.

Another reason why the Trautmann final is so well remembered is it was the only game of the year which was televised. In fact colour footage of this final exists and can be found on YouTube.

City spent the week before the final in preparation and training down in Eastbourne enjoying some sunshine. Just 2 days before the final took place Bert Trautmann was named footballer of the year, but no one realised quite how portentous that would prove.

Over 50000 fans from Manchester had travelled to London to witness this game most had gone by the special football trains. Scores of fans were in celebratory mood before the match started and enjoyed congregating in Trafalgar Square before kick off.

The critical incident happened in the 73rd minute of the match. Trautmann was caught on the head as he dived at the feet of a player and his head was forced back. He remained on the ground for some time and although he stayed on the field when play eventually restarted, he was clearly holding his neck throughout the final 17 minutes.

Of course back in 1956 there were no permitted substitutes so had Bert been forced to leave the field then City would have been down to 10 men.

The strangest thing is that during these final minutes of the match, Trautmann was actually called into action a number of times. He even dived at the feet on an attacker.

Of course Trautmann continued to feel unwell for a number of days following the match and eventually went to hospital where it was discovered he had in fact broken his neck. He had played on in the match without realising another knock would have resulted in paralysis or death.

Trautmann took part in the after match celebration although he later admitted he had no recollection of the end of the match.

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So, on 5 May 1956 – some 63 years ago Bert Trautmann won the FA Cup for Manchester City.

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