Jimmy Rimmer

John James Rimmer (10 February 1948 – 14 August 2026) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the Football League for Manchester United, Swansea City, Arsenal and Aston Villa.

Rimmer, who won two European Cup winners medals, has been described by the Birmingham Mail as "perhaps the greatest goalkeeper in Aston Villa's history".

He made only one appearance in 1973–74, keeping a clean sheet on his debut against Liverpool. After Wilson's retirement at the end of that season, Rimmer became Arsenal's No. 1 for the next three seasons, and was a near ever-present for the Gunners, winning Arsenal's Player of The Year award in 1975.

A year after Tottenham Hotspur manager Terry Neill took over at Arsenal, he signed Pat Jennings from his old club and Rimmer was sold to Aston Villa, having played 146 games for Arsenal.

At Villa, Rimmer was No. 1 for the next six seasons, winning a First Division winners' medal in 1981. The following year Villa reached the European Cup final, but Rimmer was injured after only nine minutes and had to be replaced by Nigel Spink. Villa beat Bayern Munich 1–0, meaning Rimmer became the second player, after Saul Malatrasi, to win a European Cup winners' medal at two clubs. He then spent several years in China as goalkeeping coach for their national team and Dalian Shide.

Personal life and death Rimmer was born in Southport, Lancashire.

Rimmer died on 14 August 2026, at the age of 78.

Honours Manchester United European Cup: 1967–68

Aston Villa