The countdown continues with a trip down memory lane to take a look at the heroics of a certain German goalkeeper…
City 3 Birmingham City 1, 5 May 1956
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Les McDowall led City to their third FA Cup trophy after beating Birmingham in front of 100,000 spectators at Wembley.
Similar to 1934, the Blues had lost the final the previous season and bounced back in excellent style at the national stadium.
City took an early lead through Joe Hayes, but the advantage was soon cancelled out when Birmingham’s Noel Kinsey equalised midway in the 15th minute.
However, McDowall’s side pushed on in the second 45 minutes and goals from Jack Dyson and Bobby Johnstone ensured the prestigious trophy would be heading back to Manchester.
The match is best remembered for the heroics of City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann, who continued playing in the game despite breaking a bone in his neck in a challenge with Birmingham’s Peter Murphy.
Match highlights
Starting XIs
City: Trautmann, Leivers, Little, Barnes, Ewing, Paul, Johnstone, Hayes, Revie, Dyson, Clarke
Birmingham: Merrick, Hall, Green, Newman, Smith, Boyd, Astall, Kinsey, Brown, Murphy, Govan
Key Moments
3’ – GOAL! – City take an early lead through Joe Hayes, who applies the finish after being set up by Don Revie.
15’ – Goal – Birmingham level the scores after the ball bounces kindly to Noel Kinsey on the edge of the area, who slots the ball past the dive of Bert Trautmann.
62’ – GOAL! – City’s lead is restored as Jack Dyson hits the back of the net following a neat, flowing move from the Blues.
64’ – GOAL! It’s 3-1 in a matter of minutes with Dyson turning provider for Bobby Johnstone, who fires beyond Gil Merrick to become the first player to score in consecutive Wembley finals.
73’ – Trautmann claims the ball at the feet of Peter Murphy, only for the Birmingham forward’s knee to collide with his neck. The German goalkeeper was knocked out in the collision but quickly recovered and fought through the pain barrier to complete the game, only to discover he had broken his neck in the days following the match.
Man of the Match
Bert Trautmann
