Jimmy Rimmer
Testimonial February 24th 1987 v Swansea

unitedkits_kit_1167
unitedkits_number_1167

Jimmy Rimmer had the misfortune of being at United when Alex Stepney was in his prime, and as a result he made remarkably few senior appearances in his eleven years at the club.

As Stepney's understudy, however, he won a European Cup wimners medal in 1968, despite not playing in the Final.

Rimmer had signed for United, initially as an amatuer in May 1963, and after serving as an apprentice professional, was rewarded with a full professional contract in February 1965.

A confident and talented custodian, he was finally given his opportunity by Wilf McGuinness at the start of the 1969/70 season but was dropped after only three games. His longest run in the first team came in the autumn of 1970 when he appeared in twenty-eight consecutive games.

He managed just a further 5 appearances beforejoining Swansea on loan, in October 1973. The following February, Arsenal paid £40,000 for Rimmer and he succeeded Bob Wilson as the Gunner's regular 'keeper at the start of the 1974/75 season. The arrival of Pat Jennings in August 1977 brought his Highbury career to an end, after 146 appearances, and Rimmer moved to Aston Villa.

Rimmer enjoyed the most successful period of his career at Villa Park, winning a League Championship medal in 1981 and a second European Cup winners medal the following year, although he was injured in the Final and only played in the opening nine minutes. Despite less than ten minutes playing-time, he became only the second player to win European Cup winners medals with two different clubs.

Rimmer stayed at Villa for six years, joining Swansea in August 1883. He retired from playing in 1986, having amassed a total of 570 senior appearances. He accepted the goalkeeping coaching role at the Vetch Field and later spent several years coaching in China and then Canada.

Many thanks to Sean Moran for identifying the kit.

Jimmy Rimmer:
45 appearances