1985 promotion for the future Bayern Munich player
Born in Hannover on the 17^th August 1960, Hartmann displayed his club loyalty from a very young age. During his childhood he spent 13 years as a striker for TSV Havelse, before joining the Reds in 1980. At Hannover he spent five years as part of Biskup’s “rascals”. As the Reds were hoping for promotion in season 1984/1985 Hartmann earned the reputation as the “tragic hero”. He scored the deciding goal in the 2:0 victory over Hertha Berlin to earn his team their first promotion in nine years! Yet Hartmann wasn’t fully able to enjoy the occasion. Indeed he turned out for the following season, but not for 96. His transfer to FC Bayern Munich had already been agreed before this decisive match.

Career ended after ruptured cruciate ligament
He spent the season as a bench-warmer at the Munich club and made the switch back to the Reds a season later – where their delight at their “prodigal son” returning was obvious. In the meantime, Hannover had suffered relegation once again, but in season 1985/1986 Hartmann was able to help his club back into the top league. His jubilation, though, was short lived; he suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament and had to abruptly end his career.

In the years afterwards he turned out for SG Wattenscheid, after which his former coach, Werner Biskup, convinced him to make a comeback with VfL Osnabrück. Despite his impressive 12 goals in 32 games, VfL narrowly missed out on promotion.  Hartmann, however, remained loyal to football following the end of his professional career: After a further stop at FC 1975 Damla Genc, he became player manager at his home club TSV Havelse between 1998 to 2000. At the same time he also worked in the Sport Coordination office at Hannover 96.

Most successful 96 striker of the 80s
Frank Hartmann was the most successful Hannover 96 striker of the mid-80s. In the first and second Bundesliga he played a total of 206 games wearing the famous red shirt – scoring 53 goals. While playing nowadays for celebrity teams, Hartmann has also combined his passion for sport with his job. Along with his colleague, Karsten Surmann, he founded the “Soccer & Racket Park” – a sports park where you can play football, squash and badminton. And since 2006 Frank Hartmann and his wife have been running the Hotel and Restaurant Pinkenburg in Wennigsen.

- Daniel Moore