Legendary goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer, 78, passes away after storied career

Jimmy Rimmer, aged 78, has died, closing the chapter on a distinguished football career. Born in Southport, he was part of Manchester United’s squad that beat Benfica to secure the 1968 European Cup, and later started Aston Villa’s 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the 1982 final before a neck injury forced his early substitution. Rimmer featured in every match of Villa’s run to that final and in their 1980-81 league-title season, amassing 229 league appearances for the club.

His playing résumé also includes periods at Swansea City and Arsenal, where he earned the player-of-the-season award in 1974-75, and he won a solitary England cap in a 1976 friendly against Italy. Aston Villa and Manchester United both issued statements of sorrow, and former United goalkeeper Alex Stepney shared a tribute on social media.