AS the world mourns footballing legend Bert Trautmann, it has been revealed he was a prisoner of war in Northwich.

The former Manchester City goalkeeper, who died on July 19, aged 89, is famous for playing in an FA Cup Final with a broken neck.

But before his glittering football career began, Trautmann served with the German army and was a PoW at Marbury Hall for a short period during 1944.

He was one of the few survivors of the Allied bombing of Kleve and after seeking to evade troops from either side, found himself at the feet of a British soldier.

Trautmann – Marbury Hall’s most famous prisoner - was later transferred to a camp in Ashton-in-Makerfield where he played football with his fellow prisoners.

Following the closure of the PoW camp, Trautmann declined an offer of repatriation and stayed in England, with his path eventually leading him to sign with Manchester City in October 1949.