5. Bert Trautmann
Bert Trautmann can undoubtedly be classed as the most controversial import of all. It may be difficult to imagine amongst many of us the hostility that was bestowed on this man at the time. During the Second World War he had been a pilot with the German Luftwaffe, and became a prisoner of war and held in the English town of St. Helens. He declined repatriation and joined City in 1949. He was constantly jeered and booed, from many fans up and down the country, but gradually winning them over with his breathtaking skills of goalkeeping. His exploits in the 1956 winning cup final where he played on despite suffering a fractured neck puts him firmly into the annuls of folk lore. His testimonial match at Maine Road saw 50,000 fans pay homage to a remarkable legend between the sticks. So, although not cast in stone, I think youll find those five, worthy of the title Best City Imports. Unless of course I've left your fave player out!