Jimmy Rimmer, European Cup winner, dies aged 78

Jimmy Rimmer, the Southport-born goalkeeper who represented Manchester United and Aston Villa, has died at the age of 78. He was on the Manchester United bench when they beat Benfica to win the 1968 European Cup.

Rimmer joined Aston Villa in 1977 and spent seven years at the club, making 229 league appearances. He started every game of Villa's run to the 1982 European Cup final and had been ever-present in their 1980-81 league title-winning campaign.

He was named in the starting XI for Villa's 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the 1982 European Cup final but was replaced by Nigel Spink after nine minutes because of a neck injury.

Earlier in his career Rimmer spent time with Swansea City and Arsenal and won Arsenal's player of the season award in 1974-75.

Rimmer earned one England cap in a friendly against Italy in 1976. Aston Villa and Manchester United both said they were "deeply saddened" by Rimmer's death.

Rimmer's former United team-mate Alex Stepney, a fellow goalkeeper, said on social media: "Such sad news to hear Jimmy Rimmer has passed away, rest in peace and lots of love to Jimmy's family x."