Richard Hofmann

“King Richard” or “Cannon Richard” Hofmann was one of the best-known strikers of the late 1920s. The “small axis” grew up with his seven siblings in a poor family. His football talent was developed in street football. In 1927, he was first called up to the national team.

Hofmann lost his right ear in a car accident after a carnival party on 18 February 1930. He recovered and continued his career, but with a new trademark, a head bandage. In 25 international matches Hofmann scored 24 goals. In 1933 he was banned for life from the national team because he was seen on an advertising poster for a cigarette company.

Hofmann won German Championships with Dresdener SC in 1943 and 1944. The trained clerk later worked as a successful coach in the former GDR. In 1949 he became a coach at SG Vorwärts Gotha, and in 1950 a regional coach in Saxony, head of training courses at the Sports School Werdau, and a member of the coaching ensemble for the former GDR. In 1955 Hofmann became chief coach of SV Turbine Potsdam, in 1956 he was named to coach the national team, and in 1963 he coached the GDR youth team.