Football is mourning the death of Jimmy Rimmer, the former Aston Villa and Manchester United goalkeeper who played a part in two historic European Cup triumphs.
Rimmer has died at the age of 78, leaving behind a remarkable career that included European Cup success with Manchester United and Aston Villa, a league title with Villa, and an England international appearance.
Both Villa and United expressed their deep sadness following the news, while Arsenal also paid tribute to the former goalkeeper.
Jimmy Rimmer’s Career at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Jimmy Rimmer |
| Age at death | 78 |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Born | Southport, England |
| Manchester United | European Cup winner, 1968 |
| Aston Villa | 229 league appearances |
| Aston Villa | European Cup winner, 1982 |
| Aston Villa | First Division champion, 1980-81 |
| England | 1 cap |
| Other clubs | Arsenal, Swansea City |
A European Cup Winner With Manchester United
Rimmer’s first taste of European glory came with Manchester United in 1968.
The goalkeeper was part of the United squad that defeated Benfica in the European Cup final at Wembley.
However, Rimmer did not start the historic final. He was on the bench as United secured their first European Cup in one of the most famous matches in the club’s history.
That achievement nevertheless made him a European champion at a relatively young age.
Aston Villa Became the Defining Chapter
Rimmer joined Aston Villa in 1977, beginning the chapter of his career for which he would become most closely remembered.
He quickly established himself as an important part of the Villa side and eventually made 229 league appearances for the Midlands club.
His importance was particularly clear during Villa’s remarkable 1980-81 league title-winning campaign, when Rimmer started every match of the club’s run to the championship.
That success was followed by an even more historic European campaign.
The 1982 European Cup Final
Rimmer started every match of Aston Villa’s run to the 1982 European Cup final.
Villa faced Bayern Munich in Rotterdam with European football’s biggest prize at stake.
Rimmer was named in the starting XI, but his final would last only nine minutes.
A neck injury forced him to leave the pitch, with Nigel Spink coming on as his replacement.
Spink subsequently produced a legendary performance as Villa defeated Bayern 1-0 to become European champions.
Although Rimmer was unable to finish the match, he remained a crucial part of the campaign and had started every game leading up to the final.
A Career Spanning England’s Biggest Clubs
Rimmer’s career included spells at several notable English clubs.
He began his professional career with Manchester United before later joining Arsenal, where he enjoyed another memorable period.
Rimmer was named Arsenal’s Player of the Season for 1974-75, highlighting the level of his performances during his time at Highbury.
He also represented Swansea City before eventually establishing himself at Aston Villa.
His career therefore connected several historic clubs and included major honours across different stages.
England International Recognition
Rimmer also reached the international stage.
He earned his only England cap in 1976, appearing in a friendly against Italy.
Although his international career was brief, representing England added another significant achievement to a career that had already included European Cup success.
Tributes Pour In
The news prompted tributes from the clubs Rimmer represented during his career.
Aston Villa and Manchester United both said they were “deeply saddened” by his death.
Arsenal also paid tribute to their former goalkeeper.
One of the most poignant messages came from former Manchester United goalkeeper and Rimmer’s teammate Alex Stepney, who shared his sadness following the news and sent his love to Rimmer’s family.
Rimmer’s career had brought him into contact with some of English football’s most historic teams, making his passing significant across several generations of supporters.
Why Jimmy Rimmer’s Legacy Matters
Rimmer’s career contains a remarkable piece of European football history.
He was part of two European Cup-winning teams, despite his role being very different in each triumph.
In 1968, he was a substitute as Manchester United won the trophy.
Fourteen years later, he was Aston Villa’s starting goalkeeper in the final, only to suffer an injury after nine minutes.
His Villa career also included a league championship and more than 200 league appearances.
That combination makes Rimmer’s story particularly unusual in English football history.
Key Takeaways
- Jimmy Rimmer has died at the age of 78.
- He was part of Manchester United’s European Cup-winning squad in 1968.
- Rimmer joined Aston Villa in 1977.
- He made 229 league appearances for Villa.
- He started every match of Villa’s 1980-81 league title campaign.
- He started the 1982 European Cup final against Bayern Munich before suffering a neck injury after nine minutes.
- Aston Villa won the final 1-0 with Nigel Spink replacing him.
- Rimmer earned one England cap against Italy in 1976.
- Manchester United, Aston Villa and Arsenal all paid tribute following his death.
Final Thoughts
Jimmy Rimmer’s career was filled with moments that connected him to some of the greatest chapters in English football.
From being part of Manchester United’s historic European Cup triumph in 1968 to helping Aston Villa reach the summit of English and European football, he experienced success at the highest level.
His injury in the opening minutes of the 1982 European Cup final means his contribution to Villa’s greatest night is sometimes overlooked, but his role throughout the campaign was undeniable. He had started every match on the road to the final and had been a key figure in Villa’s league title triumph the previous season.
Rimmer leaves behind a legacy stretching across Manchester United, Arsenal and Aston Villa, as well as a place in the history of two European Cup-winning teams. His death marks the passing of a goalkeeper who was present during some of English football’s most important moments.
