Now Reading: European Cup winner Jimmy Rimmer dies at 78
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European Cup winner Jimmy Rimmer dies at 78
Jimmy Rimmer, the goalkeeper who won the European Cup with Manchester United in 1968 and Aston Villa in 1982, has died at age 78. Aston Villa announced his death on Friday without…
The Story in Brief
Jimmy Rimmer, the goalkeeper who won the European Cup with Manchester United in 1968 and Aston Villa in 1982, has died at age 78. Aston Villa announced his death on Friday without providing further details, calling him "one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation, and arguably one of the unluckiest when it came to big occasions."
Rimmer was on the bench for United's 1968 win over Benfica. In the 1982 final against Bayern Munich, he started but came off with a neck injury after nine minutes. He played once for England and had stints at Arsenal besides United and Villa. Manchester United said it was "deeply saddened" by his death.
The Indian Opinion
The obituaries rightly call Rimmer unlucky, a backup in 1968, injured after nine minutes in the 1982 final. But the narrative that his career was defined by misfortune overlooks his contribution: he started every European Cup match for Villa that season and was ever-present in their league title win. The real story is a goalkeeper who was good enough to be on the pitch for two European Cup wins, even if fate had other plans. How many goalkeepers have even one medal?
Sources (2): sportstar.thehindu.com, thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
