Hermann Nattkämper

Herman Nattkämper (4 October 1911 – 2 April 2005) was a German football player who most notably was German champion with FC Schalke 04 in 1934 and 1935.

Hermann Nattkämper

Personal information
Full name	Hermann Nattkämper
Date of birth	(1911-10-04)4 October 1911
Date of death	2 April 2005(2005-04-02) (aged 93)
Position(s)	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1928–1930	Preußen Gladbeck
1930–1936	Schalke 04
1936–1937	Preußen Gladbeck
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Born in Gladbeck, he became a member of a local football club, Preußen Gladbeck, when he was 14.^[1] Tenbrink, the manager of the club, criticized Nattkämper for giving away a penalty. Due to this, he left his club and joined Schalke, where he was attributed to the rise of the club.^[1] He helped Schalke win their first football championship in 1934, then won it again in 1935,^[2] resulting in Schalke winning back-to-back championships. However, he could not focus on football as his job as a city official and helping his family's drink business was more important. Therefore, he left Schalke after 27 goals in 44 matches.^[1] During World War II, Nattkämper was held captive by Russian troops. In captivity, Nattkämper played some matches for a Danzig team. Following his release in 1948, he stated "football was physically out of the question".^[1]

Personal life

Nattkämper married his wife Hildegard in 1939, and lived with her in retirement in Gladbeck until his death in 2005.^[2]