Jimmy Rimmer, the former manchester United, Arsenal and Aston Villa goalkeeper who collected two European Cup winner’s medals during his career, has died aged 78, clubs and media outlets confirmed on Friday.
- Jimmy Rimmer, former goalkeeper for manchester United, Arsenal and Aston Villa, has died aged 78.
- Rimmer won two European Cup winner’s medals: as a substitute with manchester United in 1968 and as Villa’s goalkeeper in the 1981–82 campaign, though he was substituted nine minutes into the final due to a neck injury.
- He was Villa’s first-choice keeper through their 1980–81 title season and later worked in coaching roles after retirement.
What happened — the verified facts
Aston Villa and Manchester United announced their sadness at Rimmer’s passing on Friday. BBC Sport, the Independent and other outlets reported Rimmer’s death and published club statements paying tribute to the goalkeeper.
Rimmer was born in Southport in February 1948 and began his career at Manchester United, joining as a schoolboy in 1963 and turning professional in 1965. He was a member of the United squad that beat Benfica in the 1968 European Cup final at Wembley, serving as a substitute for that match.
After leaving United, Rimmer had spells with Arsenal and later joined Aston Villa in 1977. He was Villa’s first-choice goalkeeper through the club’s successful period in the late 1970s and early 1980s, playing every game of their 1980-81 First Division title campaign and starting each match of Villa’s 1981-82 European Cup run.
Rimmer started the 1982 European Cup final against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam but was forced off with a neck injury after nine minutes and was replaced by Nigel Spink, who kept a clean sheet as Villa won 1-0. Rimmer therefore collected winner’s medals for both the 1968 and 1982 European Cup campaigns, though he did not finish either final on the pitch.
Career overview and achievements
- Early years: Joined Manchester United as a schoolboy in 1963 and turned professional in 1965; served largely as understudy to Alex Stepney.
- Arsenal: Signed for Arsenal in 1974 and won the club’s player of the season award in 1974–75, according to contemporary reports.
- Aston Villa (1977–1983): Made more than 200 league appearances for Villa, was ever-present in the 1980–81 league-winning side and an ever-present across Villa’s European Cup ties in 1981–82.
- Later playing career: Left Villa for Swansea City in 1983, with later short spells including Hamrun Spartans (Malta) and Luton Town before retiring in 1986, as reported by multiple outlets.
- International: Made one appearance for England in a friendly against Italy in 1976.
- Post-playing career: Worked as a goalkeeping coach at Swansea, had caretaker-manager spells there in the mid-1990s, and spent time coaching in China and in Canada, per published reports.
Why Rimmer matters to English football
Rimmer is best remembered in England for his role at Aston Villa during the club’s peak years. He was the first-choice keeper for the side that won the First Division in 1980–81 and was the starting goalkeeper through the club’s European Cup campaign the following season. His substitution early in the 1982 final has become part of Villa folklore, not as a moment of individual failure but as an episode that led to Nigel Spink’s famous emergence on the big stage and Villa’s only European Cup triumph to date.
At Manchester United he represents the 1960s production line of young players who formed part of the club’s European breakthrough; at Arsenal and later clubs he continued to be a respected presence in English professional football.
Reactions and tributes
Aston Villa said they were “deeply saddened” by Rimmer’s death and described him as “one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation.” Manchester United also expressed their sorrow and sent condolences to Rimmer’s family and friends. Former team-mate Alex Stepney posted his reaction on social media, and wider tributes from club historians, local media and supporters followed across the day, according to the BBC and regional titles.
Context and notable details
Rimmer’s two European Cup winner’s medals place him in a small group of players who collected the trophy with more than one club; contemporary reports note he was the second player, after Saul Malatrasi, to do so. His career included long spells as both a club number one and a trusted deputy, and his single England cap in 1976 came during a period when England selectors favoured a narrow pool of goalkeepers.
What comes next
Clubs are expected to hold moments of remembrance at upcoming fixtures; Aston Villa’s statement indicates the club and supporters will mark Rimmer’s contribution. Further details on funeral or family announcements have not been published in the sources reviewed.
Timeline — career highlights
- 1963: Joined Manchester United as a schoolboy.
- 1965: Turned professional with Manchester United.
- 1968: Part of Manchester United’s European Cup-winning squad at Wembley (on the bench for the final).
- 1974–75: Recognised as Arsenal’s player of the season (reported).
- 1977: Joined Aston Villa.
- 1980–81: Ever-present in Aston Villa’s First Division title-winning season.
- 1982: Started the European Cup final vs Bayern Munich; substituted after nine minutes due to a neck injury; Villa won 1–0.
- 1983–86: Played for Swansea City and had later short spells before retiring in 1986.
Sources and verification
This article is based on reporting and official club statements published by BBC Sport, Aston Villa, Manchester United and national and regional media, including the Independent, Mirror, TalkSport and local titles. Where outlets report specific statistics or details (appearance totals, dates, and match facts) those items are attributed to the referenced coverage.
“Rimmer was one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation, and arguably one of the unluckiest when it came to big occasions.”
That phrase appears in club statements and was widely echoed in the reporting of Rimmer’s passing.