Bert Trautmann Memorial Game by John McKiernan

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

Welcome . . . Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to Valerie Park, home of Prescot Cables Football Club who we must thank for hosting this special event. Let’s hope there’s a good turn out as we celebrate the life of our club President and Manchester City legend Bert Trautmann. I’d like to offer a special welcome to members of the Trautmann family, the Mayor of St Helens Cllr Andy Bowden and Mrs Janice Bowden, officials and players of both teams, as well as representatives of a number of County Associations and Competitions along with the sponsors who have supported today’s game. We also welcome Tim Mantle who is here representing the Trautmann Foundation. We must offer a huge thank you to Chris O’Dea from our match sponsor OD’s Designer Clothing, Rob Lomax of match ball sponsor RL ICT Solutions, and Jim McDonald of Zenith Global IT Solutions who have sponsored the commemorative medals which will be presented to the players and officials at the conclusion of the game. Our thanks also go to our main club sponsor Johnsons Toyota Liverpool as well as to The One Glove Company who have produced four pairs of special ‘Bert Trautmann’ commemorative ‘keeper gloves and Claire Murray of Pencil Art Passion who has created a superb A3 pencil collage of Bert images both of these unique items of memorabilia will be raffled/auctioned in due course. Thanks also go to Ashton Athletic FC’s Peter Barton who will be taking photographs throughout the day. These will be available on the club’s website www.sthelenstownafc.com over the next few days. WA12 Radio are in attendance to cover the afternoon’s action as well as interview some of our guests. Prescot Cable’s Valerie Park is a real connection to Bert’s time with St Helens Town - the reformed club won it’s first silverware here in 1948 when the George Mahon Cup was secured when defeating Runcorn in front of 9000 supporters! The Cup has been brought along to today’s game by the Chairman (Pat Farrell) and Vice-Chairman (John Davies) of the Liverpool County Premier League. We also welcome along Keith McCann, son of Bert’s Town team-mate Harry McCann. Keith has brought with him a number of items belonging to his late father including his George Mahon Cup winner’s medal along with a unique scrap book detailing his time with Town. Harry McCann, like Bert, holds a significant place in the history of St Helens Town, after becoming one of seven ‘Players of the Decades’ (1940s-2000s) - Bert was our player of the 1940’s, while Harry earned the accolade for the 1950s.

Photo: Bert with his St Helens Town AFC team mates in 1948

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

Fans will hopefully be able to see both the George Mahon trophy and the McCann collection on display in the

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

. . . from St Helens Town clubhouse. Finally, thanks to the Manchester City Past Players Association and in particular Derek Partridge and Alan Grafton who have very supportive during the planning of the game. The remainder of today’s match programme celebrates St Helens Town’s association with Bert, something that we will always remain proud of, as well as the personal recollections of people involved with both our clubs. The message received (below) from City this week says a great deal about our past, present and future relationship with Bert Trautmann and Manchester City. ‘Manchester City FC are proud to be associated with the Bert Trautmann Memorial game. As a Club, we are delighted some of our former players are supporting this match in Bert’s honour and he remains one of our greatest players of all time. St Helens Town helped pave Bert’s path in English football and therefore will always have a special connection with our Club and we fully support this match and, along with Bert’s family, we hope everyone has a fantastic afternoon.’ I hope everyone enjoys the game and hopefully the proceeds will help t o s u p p o r t t h e T r a u t m an n Foundation, Hearts and Goals and the Saints Community Development Foundation. On one final note I would like to offer the club’s sincerest condolences to the family and friends of former Saints RL player Steve Prescott who passed away last weekend after a lengthy and courageous battle against cancer. St ev e w a s an i n s pi r at i on al fundraiser for the Christie Hospital via the Steve Prescott Foundation and he will be greatly missed. John McKiernan Chairman St Helens Town Football Club

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

Jim Barrett . . . As honorary Vice President (and former Chairman) of St Helens Town AFC my connections go back to the early 1950’s when as a five year old, my dad took me regularly to games at Hoghton Road which was close to where I was born in Reginald Road, Sutton. By then Bert Trautmann had left Town for Manchester City but his legacy was very strong (and still is) and my first chance to see him in action was on next door’s TV in the 1955 FA Cup Final v Newcastle United. ‘That’s the Town goalie,’ said my dad and I watched with pride as the game got under way but within 3 minutes our hero was picking the ball out of his net courtesy of a Jackie Milburn power header which set the Magpies up for a 3-1 win. However, a year later City were back at Wembley again and triumphed in the now legendary ‘broken neck’ final against Birmingham City and all Town fans shared in City’s pride. Due to my dad’s work patterns we couldn’t always make Town’s away games and on those days we’d hop to St Helens Junction station to watch Everton at Goodison Park. This was were I first saw Bert in ‘the flesh’ in 1957 which coincided with my own selection in goal for my primary school team. We took our seats very early in the upper deck of the old ‘Park End’ stand and Bert ran out to a great reception having fought back from terrible injury and personal tragedy. I watched his every move, with my own school team debut imminent but within 3 minutes Everton had gone two up courtesy of an Alec Ashworth brace. City though, in typical fashion came back to win 5-2 in what was a ‘crazy season’ for them. Years later, courtesy of Bert’s biographer Alan Rowlands, I got to meet him at the book’s launch in Manchester’s Deansgate. Many of Bert’s old team mates were there so I was way down the pecking order as after all, Bert didn’t know me from Adam. Once I introduced myself as the ‘Town’ Chairman Bert beamed and was so emotional about the kindness and warmth he received at Hoghton Road at Hoghton Road when as a German, hostility abounded nationwide. The day after the book’s launch, Bert and his wife came to St Helens to revive many happy memories and I met them off the train at the Junction station. After a light lunch in the Junction pub (where Bert used to get his kit washed) he asked me to take him on a sentimental journey. But first he had an interview to do for BBC Radio Merseyside which he did in the satellite studio of the Gamble Institute.

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

. . . meets a Legend We went through Ashton in Makerfield, Golborne, Parr and Sutton where at the latter, Bert visited his son John’s grave at St Nicholas’ churchyard. Naturally it was a very emotional experience. We passed the house in which he signed for City in Marshalls Cross Road en route for Huyton where he had been assigned to the bomb disposal squad based around Longview. To cap a truly memorable day I drove them to their hotel at Haydock Park racecourse where luxury was the word, a stark contrast to the POW camp he was in across the road forty five years earlier. Despite a tiring day he insisted in returning to the Hoghton Road social club in the evening to meet the people of Sutton. I was on bingo duty that night and the usual ‘chatter’ ceased as Bert walked in to thank all who remembered his days amongst them and the generosity shown to him and his family back in Germany in very hard times. Jim Barrett Photos Above: Arsenal striker Tommy Lawton is thwarted at Highbury by the ever-vigilant Bert Trautmann, 1953 Opposite: Bert Trautmann is escorted to the touchline by his Manchester City teammates after injuring himself in the line of duty during the FA Cup Final against Birmingham City at Wembley, 1956

Today’s Mascot . . . Keegan Roberts-Andrew Keegan is aged 11 and from Dukinfield Keegan’s father, a mad Manchester City fan passed away in 2004 when Keegan was just 2 years old. He was given a day out courtesy of City following his dad’s death and Keegan was given the Freedom of the City of Manchester stadium honour by City. (pre-Etihad days). His grandfather was also a huge Manchester City fan and his great grandmother was 78 years old when she finally stopped going to Maine Road. Keegan who is attending today’s game with his mother Wendi will lead the teams out at the start of the game.

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

Back to Business . . . If I have one regret from my years involved with non league football, it is that I never got to meet the incredible Bert Trautmann. As a child growing up in Ashton-in-Makerfield where Bert was held as a P.O.W during WWII, my grandfather often told me tales of this German prisoner who went on to become one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of English football. I grew up going to a school on the very site of the POW camp where Bert was held and I always wanted to be a goalkeeper after hearing of his exploits in the 1956 cup final. My grandfather had met Bert a number of times and recounted great tales about the man on and off the pitch and I idolised the man even though I knew little about him and had never seen him play. I can’t recall if my grandfather ever told me about St Helens Town, but it must have been destiny that one day I would end up at the club with which Bert’s English football legacy began and it is somewhat an emotional experience writing this piece for today’s programme. Having only been involved with Town over the past couple of years, I sadly never had the opportunity to meet the great man, but the level of love and respect shown for this footballing legend since his passing has been overwhelming, and far exceeds any outpouring of affection I have ever seen for any other player. Bert was a very special man, and deserves a very special occasion to celebrate his life and achievements. For us at St Helens Town, today is our way of marking Bert’s contribution to our club. you all enjoy this very special occasion. Joining us today are a number of very special including Bert’s children Mark, Stephen and Freda as well as extended members Trautmann family, Officials and former players of Manchester City Football Club representative of The Trautmann Foundation.

I hope guests of the and a

I would also like to welcome our guests joining us today representing various County Football Associations, our own NWCFL and various other football organisations. A very special welcome also goes out to our VIP guest Mr David Kelsall. 75 year old David is a life-long city fan and joins us today as a surprise gift from his family, Shelagh, Gary, Alex and Michael who think the world of him and say he is the best dad and grand-dad they could wish for. David is accompanied by his Son-in-Law Gary, and his daughter and grandson are also in the stadium today. David names Bert and Colin Bell as his all time favourites. I would also like to welcome today’s mascot, 11 year old Keegan Thomas-Andrew. Bert will forever be sadly missed by us all but his legend will live on in football folklore and he will never be forgotten. In Memory of Bernhard Carl “ Bert” Trautmann OBE, 22nd October 1923 – 19th July 2013. Darryl Picton, Commercial Manager St Helens Town AFC

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Other German . . . May be the boy will never know. Unlike so many others, whose lives were touched by Bert Trautmann, that little fellow in a Berlin restaurant would be too young to remember. He was about two and Bert, almost ninety years older than him, was making funny faces for him across the room. It made the little fellow laugh. On his way out, Bert gave his mother a 20 Euro note. ‘For the piggy bank, he said. She looked irritated. I quickly explained to her, who that man was and I still hope that she will remember and tell her son. What I didn‘t tell her, of course, was that the generous giver lived off a very modest pension. That is how I will remember Bert: A giant of a man with a deep voice and huge hands, who spoke through his heart, when others would have been quiet; and a man who did unreasonable things, whilst others stood in line. The child in him survived the Russian winter and all the others ups and downs thrown in his way, throughout his long adventurous life. I never had the pleasure to watch him play. But did it really matter? I don‘t think so. Before I met Bert for the first time in the flesh about ten years ago, I had already encountered him numerous times in the North West of England. One such meeting stood out. There was an elderly gentleman, sitting beside me at Goodison Park. His eyes wandered into the middle distance when he told me ‘I served in the war. It only really ended for me, when Bert Trautmann showed us the other German here . A beautiful sentiment indeed. The other German, that would become Bert’s role, in the British Isles as well as in his fatherland. In both countries, he became a visitor, a wanderer with a special visa to cross barriers and frontiers nobody would have dared to touch, but still a man who never truly settled in one of them. He fought an uphill battle of acceptance here and there. For the way he played football, he should have been selected for the National team. Everybody knew, including the manager, Sepp Herberger. But the call never came, partly because Manchester was a long way to go for any scouting mission back in those years. Partly because people in Germany, including Herberger, didn‘t like the idea of Bert playing in England. To some, it was still the enemy over there, others complained about him enjoying life in the land of plenty, while Germany was starving. They naturally mistrusted the guy, whom so many English loved. And they all should have known better. Bert always liked to single out that one occasion in January 1949, when he walked into a cafe in St Helens and people gave him a big trunk full of food and a 50 pound note. In times of rationing, the supporters of St Helens Town had collected this small fortune for Bert to take home to support his family in Bremen. He was completely overwhelmed, and he never forgot. His time in St Helens gave him a solid foundation and a set of healthy relationships for the rollercoaster his life would become. It was right here in St Helens, where the man, who once had keenly enlisted for Hitler’s elite forces, felt truly at home for the first time, after more than five years of war and captivity. It was here, where he finally realised, how incomprehensible it was, that Britain and Germany had been at war. ‘How and why would I fight those people?‘ he asked me, when I visted him in Spain. ‘We are so similar.‘ It became his mantra. Britain and Germany: two siblings fighting each other for no good reason. But words were not enough. He became an extraordinary sportsman, who evaporated prejudice by the way he lived and played. People like to talk about the Cup Final of 56, when he entered football folklore by his denial to leave the pitch in pain. Not only did he stay on with that broken neck, he actually made some crucial saves, as footage from the match shows. As outstanding as it was, and as much respect as that heroism commanded, there were plenty of other times, when he stood his ground and put people’s stereotypes to a serious test.

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

. . . Trautmann Foundation His first match in London was one of those occasions. At Fulham, he walked into a stadium filled with abuse and supporters giving Nazi salutes. After all, what could he expect, a couple of years after the Blitz? The records say that Fulham absolutely outplayed City and that it was a miracle that the team from Manchester only lost 1-0. They owed it to Bert and the stadium knew. So in the end, people stood and applauded him and even the Fulham team lined up to clap him off the pitch. It was not the only opportunity to show the white feather he would miss. He made it easy for people to embrace the idea that ‘He is one of us‘. They stopped judging him by his mistakes and rather watched in awe at how he dealt with them. This is a privilege you have to earn again and again, on and off the pitch. There was not a single charity match he missed. In fact he would be here today, if only he could. In the end, its just like that Fulham match. With Bert, death needed many chances to score, but it finally did. After a number of heart attacks and complications, Bert passed away this summer. That meant that he broke a promise he gave me on his last visit to Berlin, back in 2011. Bert had just played with Carl, my eldest son, who was three then, and I asked him ‘Looking back at your life, what‘s your message to him?‘ ‘Don‘t know. Let me think about it‘ he replied. ‘Will you write it down for me?‘ I insisted. ‘I will‘ he responded. ‘Promise?‘ ‘Promise.‘ Now, that wasn‘t fair. I knew in the first place, that Bert would never keep this promise. I kept teasing him anyway, asking him to deliver. ‘Du kriegst Deinen Brief‘ he would say. ‘You‘ll get your letter.‘ But both of us knew that he would never write it. Writing it would have meant to give in, to accept that times are coming to an end. That was not Bert Trautmann’s way to live his life. Instead, he remained positive, embracing the hope that he would live another day and one more after that to think and grab the pen and write that thing. Not even the heart attacks could stop him from thinking like this. And that is, in a nutshell, his message to my son as well as to everybody. You can make mistakes. And life can hit you, big time. Just don‘t give up. Stay true, gather the courage to walk on and never write that bloody letter. Matthias Paskowsky info@trautmann-foundation.de Courage Counts Trautmann Foundation

Photo: Manchester City’s 6’2″ goalkeeper Bert Trautmann takes to the skies to deny Fulham at Craven Cottage, 1950

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

Town v City . . . 27th April 1950 St Helens Town 0, City 2 When Bert Trautmann signed for Manchester City from St. Helens Town in October 1949, it was part of the deal that the Sky Blues would return to Hoghton Road for a friendly game at the end of the season. That game took place on Thursday, 27th April and attracted a record crowd of between 8000 and 9000 people. Peter Smith’s account of the game in the St. Helens Newspaper stated that over 4000 people paid on the gate and, after pre-match ticket sales had been added in, the total gate was comfortably over 8000 “with still plenty of room for more.” The teams were presented to Cllr. Percy Griffiths, who was representing the Mayor and Saints’ rugby league club captain, Jimmy Stott, kicked-off proceedings. The Town team were boosted by a number of football league club players, all of whom were born in the St. Helens area. Peter Smith’s report went on to say that other such eligible players would have been Moore (Everton), Case (Sunderland), Bickerstaffe (Lincoln City) Anders (Brentford), Birkett (Southport), Birkett (Accrington Stanley), Pennington (Huddersfield Town) and Finney (Stockport County). The teams were: St. Helens Town: Whittall, Topping (Prescot Cables), Griffiths (Bury), Lynn (Manchester United), Morris (Stockport County), Murphy (Bolton Wanderers), Garner, Birkett (Manchester United), Crampton (Manchester City), McCann and Anders (Preston North End). Manchester City: Trautmann, Gill, Williams, Farrar, Rigby, Whelan, Dawson, Phoenix, Jones, Black and Cunliffe. Scorers were Jones and Cunliffe. Referee was Mr. J. H. Aindow of St. Helens. The post-match reception was held at Sutton Conservative Club, Edgeworth Street. John Friar presented a signed football for a raffle to boost club funds and Mr. Foden, from the Miles Platting section of the Manchester City Supporters’ Club, presented Bert Trautmann with “a handsome fireside screen.” 3rd May 1951 St Helens Town 0, City 6 So successful had the first game been that the sides met again at Hoghton Road a year later. Town were in the middle of clearing a huge fixture backlog, but a victory the following night over Bacup guaranteed

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

. . . past Meetings promotion to Division 1 of the Lancashire Combination and a few days later, they were crowned Division 2 Champions. The crowd for this Wednesday evening fixture was given as a “satisfactory 4000 to 5000.” A collection raised £12 for Town’s injured player Bill Pilling and, once again, Sutton Conservative Club hosted the post-match reception. As in the first game, Bert Trautmann had little to do, but the match report said the highlight was Sam Lynn’s shot which drew a magnificent save from the former German prisoner of war. Haddington, Jones and Cunliffe all scored two goals each in a City romp. The teams were: St. Helens Town: Arkwright (St. Helens Town), Topping (Prescot Cables), Murphy (Bolton Wanderers), Lynn (Manchester United), Morris (Stockport County), McKee (Blackburn Rovers), Finney (Stockport County), McEwan (Liverpool), Shields (Liverpool), Pennington (Huddersfield Town) and Twist (Liverpool). Manchester City: Trautmann, Branagan, Williams, Barnes. Fagan, Whelan, Gill, Haddington, Jones, Phoenix and Cunliffe. 24th July 1996 St Helens Town v City Reserves Rather disappointingly, I could not find any mention in the local press of the result of this pre-season friendly but, Alan Ball, then City’s first team manager, was said to have been so impressed with Town’s Alan Hockenhull, that he recommended him for trials with his former club, Exeter City. He played for the Grecians against Portsmouth the following Saturday. Town also played pre-season games against Stockport County, Blackburn Rovers and Everton that season – they were the days! 15th November 2009 City Former Players XI 5, St Helens Town 6 The teams met at the City of Manchester Athletics Stadium and Town ran out 6-5 winners in the Trautmann Trophy match, played to mark the 60th anniversary of Bert’s transfer to City. Unfortunately, Bert could not get over from Spain to be at the game.

Glyn Jones

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

Dave Wallace remembers . . . I was eleven years old when I first became interested in football in 1955. It was the sky blue, the three wins over United, it was Wembley, but most of all, for me, and many others it was Bert Trautmann who was the main reason I became a Manchester City supporter. Tales of the heroics of City’s German born ex prisoner of war were becoming legendary as we were treated to glimpses of his performances on the newsreels and television clips of the day, as City hit the Wembley trail. At that age I was obviously unaware of the initial reaction to the signing of the German from St Helens Town in 1949, so soon after the war. Some fans were up in arms, boycotting City’s games in protest. However, his displays on the pitch and the publicity they generated soon had them flocking back to Maine Road. Indeed, football crowds up and down the country took our blonde hero to their hearts and it is safe to say that Bert did much for Anglo-German relations in those sensitive post-war times. He was described as being handsome, brave, daring, athletic, and agile which probably came from his playing the Volkerball game in Germany and the unique way he threw out the ball to set up attacks certainly came from that experience. He was a great goalkeeper who made many penalty and last minute saves, often diving one way then twisting and saving the ball going the other. He was breathtakingly spectacular Like most young Blues of that era I had a scrapbook of the City stars with Bert taking pride of place. As a budding goalkeeper myself I naturally modelled myself on him, but only reached local league standard. I also kept a diary of City games in scrapbook form, and on the way back from West Ham in 1959 (1-4 loss) I seized my chance for autographs as the players were travelling on the same train. I remember Bert’s then wife, Margaret, being present too, and giving me a ‘boys will be boys’ look, with a wry smile, as I fussed around the players. She looked like a film star and I thought she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Bert kindly signed my book, he was always generous in signing his autograph, and, flicking through it, turned to George Hannah saying “this boy looks like he’s going to become a journalist”, George agreed, but editing a

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

. . . Bert Trautmann fanzine was the best I could manage! Years later I met Bert at a Sportsman’s Dinner, and told him I was a goalkeeper and had modelled myself on him, Someone then asked him a question, and he turned to me and said “Dave, you were a goalkeeper, what do you think?” I was speechless. I last saw Bert a couple of years ago, when he was looking in great shape. Previously I recall him being asked at a supporters club meeting if he thought that Nicky Weaver was a better goalie than he was and he replied “yes, he is now, but I am 77 years of age!”. Classic. Let’s hope that today’s match to raise money for the Trautmann Foundation, Hearts and Goals and the Saints Community Foundation is well attended with a good number of City fans amongst the crowd. Maybe it will also prompt the Manchester City Football club to finally name a stand after the great man. Something which is long overdue, and having three books documenting his exploits surely a film of his life would be a box office blockbuster. His debut at Bolton was described thus in the following match programme v Birmingham: TRAUTMANN EARNED THE CHEERS Shining light at Burnden was the display of Bert Trautmann, and it must have been a tonic to hear the plaudits as he flung himself at the feet of the Bolton forwards or dived to divert some of McShane’s tantalising centres. And his point-blank save from Bradley was a masterpiece. But if he had achieved nothing else, he would have made many friends with a gesture which showed him to be a real sportsman. He collided with Lofthouse and the latter was injured. Trautmann thereupon picked up the ball, booted it straight into touch, and then went to Lofthouse’s assistance. The crowd rose to him. Dave Wallace – Editor, King Of The Kippax

Photo Opposite: Police struggle to get Manchester City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann through the swarm of fans who mobbed him after his testimonial at Maine Road, 1964. The game saw a combined City/United XI (featuring Bobby Charlton and Denis Law) against an England XI which included Tom Finney, Stanley Matthews and Jimmy Armfield, with the combined Manchester side winning 5-4. The official attendance was listed at 47,000 though it is estimated closer to 60,000 fans turned out to wave their hero off.

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

St Helens Town . . . St Helens Town Hall of Fame: Bert Trautmann Bernhard Carl Trautmann was born in Walle, near Bremen, Germany on 22nd October 1923 and upon leaving school, he became an apprentice motor mechanic. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1941 as a radio operator, eventually becoming a paratrooper, winning 5 medals, including an Iron Cross (First Class) on the Eastern Front, but having transferred to the Western Front, was captured by the British in 1944, seeing out the remainder of the War in prison camps in Northwich and Ashton-in-Makerfield. Whilst at Ashton, he played in football matches, initially as an outfield player, but following an injury, went in goal, where his allround athletic abilities allowed his career to blossom. In 1948, having declined an offer of repatriation, he began playing for St. Helens Town and quickly earned a reputation as a goalkeeper of rare talent, attracting interest from several Football League clubs. His brief career with Town began with a home game against South Liverpool in the Liverpool County Combination on 28th August 1948. On his third appearance, it was reported that very sportingly the Skelmersdale supporters gave Trautmann a wonderful reception. Later in the year, the club secretary, John Friar, proclaimed in his programme notes To put your minds at rest again, I am pleased to inform you that B. Trautmann is Not leaving Sutton. As I have told you before, his whole interests are in the Town Club and he is more than happy with us. But he has been granted leave to visit his parents. He will be going early in the New Year and we shall lose his services for a matter of three matches. Such was the town’s affection for Bert that they sent him on his way with a large food hamper and a considerable sum of cash, which was an overwhelming gesture of kindness not lost on Bert and, indeed, his family at such a difficult time in Germanys history. On Bert's return, he assisted Town to success in the George Mahon Cup competition, his and the clubs first trophy. Runcorn were beaten in the final at Prescot before a crowd of 9000. As the 1949/50 season opened, with Town in the Lancashire Combination, Second Division, the pressures on St. Helens to part with their star player became ever stronger and a transfer to Manchester City was agreed, but deferred until Towns elimination from the FA Cup. That occurred on 1st October 1949 when Town lost 0-3 to Bangor City and the transfer was completed the following Thursday. Bert had played 43 games for St. Helens Town, but he returned on three subsequent occasions, twice for friendly matches with Manchester City and once to marry the secretary’s daughter! Bert’s debut for City came in a game with Bolton Wanderers on 15th October. There were mass protests over his signing by the citizens of Manchester, who had suffered so much at the hands of the Germans in the War. However, the affable keeper did not take long to win over the hearts of the City fans and any hostility soon melted away. He went on to make 508 League appearances for the Maine Road club in a 15-year career, culminating in a testimonial game which attracted a crowd of over 47,000.

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

. . . Hall of Fame The game for which Bert is best remembered is the 1956 FA Cup Final against Birmingham City. The Sky Blues won 3-1, but Bert broke his neck when caught by a stray boot and bravely played on for the remaining fifteen minutes. The extent of his injury was only confirmed some days later. Honours continued to flow for Bert, selected twice for The Football League and he was the worthy recipient of the FAs Footballer of the Year Trophy in 1956. After retirement as a player, Bert became manager of Stockport County, subsequently managing two teams in his native Germany and completing his career in charge of Burma, Liberia and Pakistan. He was awarded an honorary OBE in 2004 for his services to AngloGerman relations through football his Trautmann Foundation is a charitable trust set up to raise funds to foster that aim and the following year, he was inducted into the National Football Museums Hall of Fame. The relationship between Bert and St Helens Town was cemented and Bert was delighted, in September 2009, to accept the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offer of becoming its Honorary President alongside former Town and Manchester United great Bill Foulkes. Photo Above: St Helens Town Football Club circa 1948 with Bert front row far right.

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Referee . . . Gordon Johnson (Ormskirk) Gordon is currently employed as the Referees Secretary at Liverpool County FA having retired from the Greater Manchester Police Force in April 2013 after 30 years service. He is currently the Assessor Co-ordinator for the North West Supply Leagues referees pool, covering the Cheshire, Liverpool, Manchester and West Cheshire Football Leagues and is also an Assessor on the National FA Contributory Leagues list. Gordon began refereeing in the 1990/91 season and progressed via the Lancashire Football League and Liverpool County Combination onto the North West Counties Football League and then onto the Combined FA Contributory Leagues list and Panel List of Referees. He was an Assistant Referee on the National List of officials operating on the Football League until retiring from the Football League at the end of the 2012/13 playing season. He officiated abroad on five occasions at the International USA Cup Youth Tournament twice and the IBER Cup International Youth Tournament in Portugal on three occasions. Gordon has recently been appointed to officiate at Wembley Stadium for the first time ever on Saturday 14th December 2013 where he will officiate at the FA Fives National Finals. Gordon will be assisted by Dale Baines and Liam Corrigan.

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

Hearts and Goals . . . St Helens Town has a new high-profile national charity partner for the 2013/14 season after joining up with Hearts & Goals, a lifesaving campaign for which Fabrice Muamba is ambassador. The club has forged a new partnership with Arrhythmia Alliance, the charity behind Hearts & Goals, a national campaign to tackle the UK’s biggest killer sudden cardiac arrest, by helping communities place lifesaving public-access AEDs (automated external defibrillators). The campaign’s ambassador, former Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on the football pitch in March 2012 and went on to make a remarkable recovery thanks to prompt treatment with CPR and an AED. Everyone at the club was so moved by his experiences and the work he and the charity has done through Hearts & Goals, Town want to raise as much money as possible for the campaign by holding a series of fundraising events throughout the season and beyond, as well as dedicating a percentage of all incoming sponsorship deals to the charity. Sudden cardiac arrest claims 100,000 lives in the UK every year and AEDs, like the one used on Fabrice on the pitch at White Hart Lane, increase a person’s chance of surviving from just 5% to 50% if they suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. The devices do not require training and can be used by anyone to shock a person’s heart back into its normal rhythm in the event of someone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. Arrhythmia Alliance has already helped communities up and down the UK place public-access AEDs as part of Hearts & Goals. The devices are placed in secure cabinets which are logged with local ambulance services and available to anyone in the community 24/7. In the event of an emergency anyone who phones 999 is then given immediate access to the lifesaving defibrillator. St Helens Town Commercial Manager, Darryl Picton, said: “We are proud to be associated with Hearts and Goals and with Fabrice, and we will work tirelessly throughout the year to raise every penny possible for the campaign.” Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder and CEO of Arrhythmia Alliance, said: “We are absolutely delighted St Helens Town AFC have chosen our Hearts & Goals campaign as their official charity campaign. Hearts & Goals focuses on tackling the UK’s biggest killer, sudden cardiac arrest, which kills 100,000 people in the UK every year. We have already been able to help communities up and down the country place lifesaving AEDs (automated external defibrillators) and with partners like St Helens we can continue this work. “It is clear all involved at the club are very passionate about the campaign and we are delighted to welcome them on board.” For full details of events or to make a donation to the campaign contact Darryl Picton on 07908 833 554 or by email at sthelenstownafc@gmail.com Visit www.heartsandgoals.org for more information.

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

A Brief History . . . The original Town club was in existence from 1901 to 1928, but George Fryer and a number of local businessmen decided to re-form the club in 1946. They obtained a lease on the Hoghton Road ground in Sutton, adjacent to St. Helens Junction station on the Liverpool to Manchester railway line, took over a local St. Helens Combination team, Derbyshire Hill Rovers, signing a number of players from other clubs and entered the Liverpool County Combination in the 1947/48 season, playing against Everton “A” and Liverpool “A” and several reserve sides from the leading non-league clubs in the Merseyside area. Success was first attained in May 1949 when Runcorn were defeated in the final of the George Mahon Cup, played at the Prescot Cables ground. The following season, 1949/50, Town were elevated to the Second Division of the Lancashire Combination and they were promoted as Champions in only their second season to the First Division, where they ran up against teams such as Ashton United, Nelson and New Brighton, newly relegated from the Football League. Sadly, Town were themselves relegated in their first season and although promoted briefly again in 1955/56, they spent most of their early years in the Second Division. Improvements were quickly made to the facilities at Hoghton Road in the early years, but in November 1952 the decision was taken to re-locate to the former St. Helens Recs’ rugby league ground at City Road in order to further their ambitions of reaching the Football League. Initially, the move resulted in some encouraging crowds, but the club had a change of heart and returned to Sutton in the October 1953. The ground was purchased and further developed and a social club and floodlights were added in later years. Town were Champions of the Lancashire Combination in 1971/72 season, losing only one game, finishing 6 points clear of Accrington Stanley. 1975 brought a switch to the Cheshire League, where they remained until the formation of the North West Counties League in 1982 and St. Helens Town is the only club to feature in the top division of that league throughout its existence although, after a very good start, they very nearly lost that proud record last season. The club’s major achievement was victory in the FA Vase at Wembley in 1987. After a stuttering start in the Preliminary Round with a 5-4 extra-time win over Colne Dynamoes, further home successes over General Chemicals, Wren Rovers, Guisborough Town and Wythenshawe Amateurs, led to wins at Wisbech Town, at home to Rainworth Miners Welfare, away to Falmouth Town (after a replay) and in the away leg at Emley when, following a 1-0 home defeat in the first-leg, a 2-0 win in Yorkshire secured a Wembley Final against local rivals Warrington Town, who were dispatched 3-2 with goals from Phil Layhe (2) and Brian Rigby. St. Helens Town boast an impressive “Hall of Fame”, including legendary goalkeeper and former German Prisoner-of-War Bert Trautmann, who signed for Manchester City over 60 years ago and who went on to play the game of his life in the 1956 FA Cup Final, despite breaking his neck in the latter stages. Bill Foulkes was transferred to Manchester United, where he had a glittering career, surviving the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, in which he

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

. . . of St Helens Town AFC

bravely rescued some of his stricken team-mates. John Connelly, an England squad member in the victorious 1966 World Cup campaign, was sold to Burnley and he later moved to join Foulkes at Old Trafford. Other future stars, groomed at St. Helens Town, included John Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), Geoff Nulty (Burnley, Newcastle United and Everton) and, most recently, ace goal scorer Dave Bamber, who began and ended his league career at Blackpool and who played in all four divisions of the Football League. Captain of the FA Vase winning team was Tommy O’Neil, who began his league career playing alongside George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton at Manchester United. Town sold their Hoghton Road ground in 2000 to move in with St. Helens Rugby League Club at their Knowsley Road base. Their farewell appearance at Sutton produced a 1-0 win over Champions Vauxhall Motors and the initial campaign at Knowsley Road got off to a cracking start, with Town leading the table for most of the season, before finishing in a rather disappointing fourth place. Recent seasons have been more of a struggle, ninth place in 2009/10 being the best finish since. Season 2010-11 saw Town slide to 16th and in 2010/11 next to bottom, when they would have been relegated, but for Flixton’s decision to resign from the league.

Club Honours: 1949 George Mahon Trophy Winners 1951 Lancs Comb Division 2 Champions 1972 Lancs Combination Champions 1973 Bass Charrington Cup Winners 1978 St Helens Hospital Cup Winners 1979 St Helens Comb Division 1 Runners Up 1979 St Helens Hospital Cup Runners Up 1980 St Helens Comb Division 1 Champions 1985 NWCFL Reserve Division 2 Runners Up 1986 NWCFL Reserve Division 1 Runners Up 1987 FA Vase Winners (Wembley) 1994 League Challenge Cup Finalists 1994 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1995 NWCFL Reserve Division Champions 1996 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1998 Floodlit Trophy Finalists 1999 REALCO Fair Play Award Winners 2009 Bert Trautmann Trophy Winners Record Appearances: Allan Wellens Record Goal Scorer: Steve Pennington Record Attendances: 4000 at Hoghton Road v Manchester City 1723 at Knowsley Road v FC Utd Manchester 9000 at Prescot Cables v Runcorn (1949) Programme Awards 1993-94 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1995-96 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1997-98 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1998-99 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1999-00 NWCFL Programme of the Year 2000-01 NWCFL Programme of the Year 2009-10 NWCFL Premier Division 2010-11 NWCFL Premier Division 2011-12 NWCFL Premier Division 2012-13 NWCFL Premier Division Wirral Programme Club National Survey 1996-97 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1997-98 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1998-99 NWCFL Programme of the Year Programme Monthly 2007-08 NWCFL Programme of the Year Soccer Club Swap Shop National Awards 2010-11 Placed 28th 2011-12 Placed 8th 2012-13 Placed 7th

Town began the 2012-13 season under new manager Ian Granite, who brought in a new team and coaching set-up who battled well to avoid relegation. Though the club have the benefit of an 80-year ground-sharing agreement with Saints, they have been unable to re-locate to the new stadium at Langtree Park and having spent over two seasons sharing Ashton Town’s ground at Edge Green Street a new ground share agreement has been brokered with fellow Premier Division side Ashton Athletic to cover their immediate future as plans for a return to St Helens continue.

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

Saints Community . . . In partnership with St. Helens RFC, the independent charitable trust ‘Saints Community Development Foundation (SCDF)’ addresses such topics as social inclusion, health promotion, sports coaching, antiracism, anti-bullying, player development, local heritage and raising educational attainment by using rugby league as a tool to improving personal and social skills. Each year the Foundation formulates the delivery of projects that work directly with more than 50,000 local young people. Saints Community Development Foundation's ultimate aim is to make a difference in our community but this can only be done through partnership working. The Foundation is a charitable organisation, which now relies on donations, grants and funding from government, local agencies and organisations, as well as subscribed activities. These funds are vital to enable Community Saints to not only continue, but also to further develop their good work across the town. SCDF are delighted to the Mayor’s Charity for 2013 in St Helens. If you would like to join the partnership please contact us on 01744 455 074 or email scdf@saintsrlfc.com Saints Community Development Foundation by numbers: 30 - The number of apprentices who are currently training for activity leadership and spectator safety qualifications. 8 - The number of unemployed people who have returned to work or education after taking part in courses with Saints Foundation and the Department for Work and Pension. The new jobs for local people have included banking, retail and driving roles. 114 - The number of Merseyside schools that Saints Development Coaches have worked in during the season. 25 - The number of games won by St Helens schools in the Carnegie Schools Competition. 27 - The number of junior clubs that have played on the pitch at Langtree Park including sides from St Helens, Wigan, Liverpool, Warrington and North Wales. 5 - The number of St Helens schools made the national knockout stages of the Carnegie National Schools

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

. . . Development Foundation Rugby League Competition. 30 - The average number of child who take part in the Saturday morning Saints Toddler sessions. 7 - The number of Rugby League tournament held by SCDF in Merseyside. 15 - The number of town's and city's Saints Community Development Foundation staff has worked in including Liverpool, Manchester, Cumbria, Ormskirk, North Wales and Rochdale. 215 - The number of donations given to fellow charities and fundraising events. 178 - The number of appearances by Boots or Saints players at community events in Merseyside. 8 - The number of Saints fans that have informed us they have quit smoking after taking part in Smoke Free squad campaign. 86 - The number of educational tours of Langtree Park for schools, colleges and universities. 567 - The number of children who took part in Saints Smart School, 62% returned to watch a Super League game. 456 - The number of Saints fans who have given blood at Langtree Park after Saints Foundation promoted donation days. 74 - The number of boys and girls who have taken part in cheer and dance events with Saints Angels. 17 - The number of community events Saints Angels attended including amateur club fundraisers, charity events and healthy lifestyle shows. 53 - The number of local people who have taken part in Saints Foundation boot camps at Langtree Park.

FRAMING INTERIORS Unit 16A Westside Industrial Estate, Jackson Street, St Helens WA9 3AT Email: vincent@framinginteriors.com Workshop: 01744 613043 OďŹ&#x192;ce: 01744 812223 Mobile: 07973 303 750

Framing for Home and Business www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game

www.odsdesignerclothing.com

The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game