Frank Victor Swift was an English footballer, who played as a goalkeeper for Manchester City and England.
28 Facts About Frank Swift
2.
Three years later Frank Swift won a League Championship medal, after playing in every match of Manchester City's championship-winning season.
3.
Frank Swift retired in 1949, taking up a career in journalism as a football correspondent for the News of the World.
4.
Frank Swift died, aged 44, in the Munich air disaster after reporting on Manchester United's European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade.
5.
Consequently, Frank Swift was given an opportunity for the Christmas double-header against Derby County.
6.
In one of his early matches, against West Bromwich Albion, Frank Swift conceded seven goals.
7.
At half time Frank Swift slumped in the dressing room, blaming himself and his decision not to wear gloves for the goal.
8.
At the final whistle, Frank Swift was so overcome with emotion that he fainted.
9.
Frank Swift recovered in time to receive his winners' medal from George V, who sent a telegram enquiring about his condition on the following Monday.
10.
City's third goal in this match came as the result of a long clearance by Frank Swift, who was noted for the distance he could propel the ball.
11.
Frank Swift joined the British Army, and was one several professional footballers to enlist at the Army School of Physical Training as part of a scheme devised by the FA.
12.
The school was based near Aldershot FC leading Frank Swift to become one of several notable players to guest for the club.
13.
Frank Swift guested for several other clubs during the war including Liverpool.
14.
On 30 October 1943 at Ninian Park, Frank Swift played for a Western Command XI against a Cardiff City XI which featured Lawton and Mercer as guests.
15.
In May 1945 Frank Swift travelled with a British Army XI on a European tour.
16.
Frank Swift continued to be a regular visitor to Maine Road, and became the president of the Supporters' Club.
17.
Frank Swift died, aged 44, in the Munich air disaster after reporting on Manchester United's European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade in Belgrade, Yugoslavia for the News of the World.
18.
One of 23 victims of the disaster, Frank Swift was one of two journalists pulled alive from the wreckage but died on his way to hospital, as his seat belt had cut into his aorta.
19.
Frank Swift is widely regarded as one of the best English goalkeepers of all time along with Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton and is frequently noted as one of the best players to have graced the English football league.
20.
Frank Swift was named as one of the Football League 100 Legends in 1998 celebrating 100 seasons of league football in England, alongside other Manchester City players Billy Meredith, Colin Bell and Bert Trautmann.
21.
Frank Swift has been inducted into the Manchester City Hall of Fame.
22.
Frank Swift became a fixture in the England side of the late 1940s, playing 17 consecutive matches.
23.
Frank Swift was restored to the line-up the following match, a British Home Championship decider against Scotland.
24.
Frank Swift represented Great Britain in a 1947 match against a "Rest of Europe" team, played to celebrate the return of the Home Nations to FIFA.
25.
Frank Swift kicked with his left foot as the result of an injury to his right foot sustained during his youth.
26.
Frank Swift had three brothers, Cuthbert, Fred and Alf, and one sister, Alice.
27.
Frank Swift was enrolled in the RAF, and travelled to France after the Invasion of Normandy, but was stationed well behind the front line and did not see combat.
28.
Several members of Frank Swift's family attended the February 2008 Manchester derby, played in the week of the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster.