RIP. Legendary goalkeeper for two European Cup-winning clubs passes away

English football and supporters of several top clubs have been plunged into deep mourning.

Details: Legendary English goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer, who made an indelible mark in the histories of Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Arsenal, has died at the age of 78. The clubs’ press offices officially announced the passing of the iconic veteran.

Rimmer wrote his name into the annals of European football with a unique achievement: he became a European Cup winner with two different English clubs. In 1968, he lifted the prestigious trophy with Manchester United, serving as Alex Stepney’s understudy, and in 1982, he repeated the feat as Aston Villa’s first-choice goalkeeper.

The 1982 final against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam was a dramatic test for Rimmer: a neck injury forced him off the pitch after just nine minutes, handing over to Nigel Spink. Nevertheless, Jimmy had started every other match of that victorious European campaign. The season before, he helped Aston Villa clinch the First Division title in 1980/81, playing every minute of all 42 league fixtures.

Rimmer also enjoyed three standout seasons with Arsenal, where he was named Player of the Season in 1975, and later represented Swansea City, where he transitioned into coaching as a goalkeeping coach and served as interim manager after hanging up his gloves.

Over the course of his career, Jimmy Rimmer made 287 appearances for Aston Villa, 146 for Arsenal, and featured 46 times for Manchester United in all competitions. He also earned a cap for the England national team in 1976.

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