Headline: Former Goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer Passes Away at 78
European Cup winner and former goalkeeper for Aston Villa and Manchester United, Jimmy Rimmer, has died at the age of 78.
The Southport-born goalkeeper served as a substitute when United secured their 1968 European Cup victory against Benfica.
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Rimmer was the starting goalkeeper in Villa’s 1-0 triumph over Bayern Munich in the 1982 European Cup final but had to leave the match after just nine minutes due to a neck injury, with Nigel Spink stepping in as his replacement.
Throughout the tournament, he played every game leading up to the final, paralleling his performance during Villa’s league title-winning season in 1980-81.
With 229 league appearances for the Midlands club, Rimmer’s career also included stints at Swansea City and Arsenal, where he received the player of the season award for the 1974-75 season.
Additionally, Rimmer earned one cap for the England national team in a friendly match against Italy in 1976.
Both Aston Villa and Manchester United expressed their deep sadness following Rimmer’s passing.
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Alex Stepney, a former teammates at United and also a goalkeeper, shared on social media: “Such sad news to hear Jimmy Rimmer has passed away, rest in peace and lots of love to Jimmy’s family x.”
European Cup winner and former Aston Villa and Manchester United goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer has died at the age of 78.
The Southport-born goalkeeper was on the bench when United beat Benfica to win the 1968 European Cup.
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Rimmer started Villa’s 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the 1982 European Cup final, though he was replaced by Nigel Spink after nine minutes because of a neck injury.
He started every game of Villa’s run to the final, as he did in their league title-winning campaign of 1980-81.
Rimmer made 229 league appearances for the Midlands club, and also spent time with Swansea City and Arsenal. He won the latter’s player of the season award in 1974-75.
Rimmer earned one England cap in a friendly against Italy in 1976.
Aston Villa and Manchester United both said they were “deeply saddened” by Rimmer’s death.
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Rimmer’s former United team-mate Alex Stepney, a fellow goalkeeper, said on social media: “Such sad news to hear Jimmy Rimmer has passed away, rest in peace and lots of love to Jimmy’s family x.”
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