The football community is in mourning following the passing of Jimmy Rimmer, a renowned goalkeeper who claimed European Cup glory with Manchester United and Aston Villa.
Jimmy Rimmer, the former Aston Villa and Manchester United goalkeeper, has died at the age of 78. Born in Southport, Rimmer enjoyed a distinguished career, earning a European Cup winner’s medal with Manchester United in 1968, albeit as a bench player in the final against Benfica.
Rimmer’s most notable achievement, however, came with Aston Villa, where he started every game in their run to the 1982 European Cup final. Although he was forced off with a neck injury after just nine minutes, his contribution to the team’s success cannot be overstated. He also played a crucial role in Villa’s 1980-81 league title-winning campaign, starting every game.
Aston Villa and Beyond
Rimmer made 229 league appearances for Aston Villa during his seven-year stint at the club, which he joined in 1977. He also had spells with Swansea City and Arsenal, winning the Gunners’ player of the season award in 1974-75. His sole England cap came in a friendly against Italy in 1976.
Tributes have poured in from Rimmer’s former clubs, including Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Arsenal, all of whom expressed their deep sadness at his passing. Former United teammate Alex Stepney, a fellow goalkeeper, took to social media to pay his respects, saying: ‘Such sad news to hear Jimmy Rimmer has passed away, rest in peace and lots of love to Jimmy’s family x.’
Jimmy Rimmer’s legacy will be remembered for his achievements on the pitch, and his contributions to the beautiful game will be cherished by fans of Aston Villa, Manchester United, and beyond.
