Frank Swift (26 December 1913-6 February 1958) was just over six feet tall and weighed thirteen stone in his prime, and for many was England's greatest goalkeeper.  His huge finger span of nearly 12 inches meant he could easily grasp a ball in one hand.  He was signed by local club Fleetwood in 1931, but was so overcome with nerves when picked for the reserve side that he pulled out of the match shortly before kick off. His performances soon earned the attention of clubs in the football league and he was signed for Manchester City in 1932. In his 231 pre-war league appearances he kept 51 clean sheets. In May 1934 Swift gained wider prominence for his part in Manchester City's victory over Portsmouth in the FA Cup Final. As the referee, Stanley Rous, blew the final whistle Swift fainted. His collapse gave the press a perfect story for the following day's sports headlines and Swift—then the youngest goalkeeper to appear in an FA cup final—became a household name. King George V—who was present at the 1934 final and witnessed Swift's collapse—later sent a telegram to inquire about his health. During the 1936–7 season Swift was a key figure in securing Manchester City's first league championship, and two years later he was on the verge of an England call-up when the outbreak of war led to the cancellation of all football league fixtures. However, international matches did continue (though wartime games were not recognized as full internationals by the Football Association) and Swift made his England début against Wales at Wrexham on 18 November 1939. Though opportunities were limited during the following years—only two internationals were played in 1940, for example—Swift played in fourteen wartime and victory internationals. After the war he made nineteen full international appearances, in which he kept nine clean sheets, and played two games as captain, making him the first goalkeeper to lead the England team in the twentieth century. In retirement Swift became a representative for the confectionery firm Smallman's, and developed a career as a sporting columnist for the News of the World. By 1957 he was assigned to cover Manchester United's European campaigns. It was while reporting on United's campaign that Swift was killed at Munich on 6 February 1958. In 1977 a street near to Manchester City's Maine Road ground was named in his honour.