Bert trautmann signed storyboard when bert trautmann arrived at manchester city in 1949 20 000 protested against his signing by the time he left he was lauded as the bravest man in british sport over time he gained acceptance through his performances in the city goal playing all but five of the clubs next 250 matches named footballer of the year for 1956 trautmann entered football folklore with his performance in the 1956 fa cup final with 17 minutes of the match remaining trautmann