Best villa keeper in last 30 years

[Dave Clark Five]

I agree with dave clark five. So many times me or my Dad would comment that "The problem with Bosnich is he can't kick a ball to a Villa player". I remember one game when the full backs made a concerted effort to give him a throwable option. My Dad said something about how this was a sign of a good team, or something, and some wag said "No, it's a sign of how he can't kick to save his life". Great keeper, very poor distribution. Having said that, though, I think his other skills did outweigh his one major weakness.

My comment was intended to expand on the fact that I did not believe he 'ticked all the boxes'.  Another thing about Bosnich that I particularly disliked was when he has a column in the Argus. Spinksy was in goal at the time and Bosnich would be bemoaning his own luck at not getting a game; he seemed to be almost wishing that Nigel would get injured or play badly. I remember it quite clearly and occasionally ripped his article out of the paper as it pissed me off so much.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

Perhaps something to think about when we dismiss a younger player. Jimmy Rimmer was, at one point earlier in his career, almost entirely washed up and out of the big time.

He could never get past Alex Stepney at Man United and they dumped him out to Swansea (if memory serves me correctly), where former United keeper Harry Gregg worked on both his technique and his confidence. Eventually he got noticed again by Arsenal.

Rimmer was all-round excellent - shot-stopping, commanding his area, consistency - though of course one thing he didn't have to do that was Bosnich's achilles heel was to have to play the ball with his feet.

[bobcat]

Bozzie excpet when he was playing against Fowler.

[wittonwarrior]

Dont be daft there is no question Jimmy Rimmer, without him would we have won the league?

[dave.woodhall]

In the last thirty years to the day it's got to be Bosnich now.

[PeterWithesShin]

Rimmer last played 27/12/82. Over a month to go yet before he can be replaced. A real shame that particular game was his last for us.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

I was only thinking of Rimmer today, with regard to the reception he got from the home crowd on his first return with Villa.

He got a great reception, and the old lady who'd give him a sweet before each game was there for him behind the home goal.

These days it would be laced with acid or a powerful laxative :-)

[Big Dick Edwards]

In Rimmer's day goalkeepers could pick up backpasses so a lack of kicking ability wasn't so important. Rule changes mean it's become essential to be at least a competent kicker. Bosnich was a long way from being competent in this area. He couldn't even kick well when not put under pressure. There's no doubt Bosnich had all the athletic attributes but so did Rimmer who was also a model of consistency.

[SoccerHQ]

Bossie.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Jimmy Rimmer, every time. Just thinking back to how the whole of the Holte would applaud him as he ran towards us to warm up before kick off makes the hairs on my face stand up. Brilliant days and a superb keeper.

Spinksy and Bosnich were both very good but nothing like Jimmy.

[bertlambshank]

I named my cat Jimmy Rimmer.

[class_of_82]

suppose most people will go for rimmer who was a great keeper in a great never to be forgotten team. yet for me it was bosnich his agility and penalty stops were amazing. its just that my heart missed a beat when the ball was played back to him his kicking was awful but who can forget the penalty shoot out against tranmere. loved john burridge as well his antics when the ball was up the other end and he was doing his imaginary saves and star jumps etc was so funny also who can remember his one handed save to deny peter osgood at the holte end in the fa cup 3rd replay against southampton to this day one of the best saves i have seen. so many great memories that will never leave me

[willywombat]

Jimmy Rimmer for me too by a country mile

[wittonwarrior]

Burridge - pity he lacked height.  Remember Boxing day away game at OT when he just missed clenching two high balls into the area - que or however you spell it two goals.

Rimmer was simply such a safe pair of hands, not spectacular but he was just Mr Consistent.

Bosnich the most talented of all three but two spectacular and his kicking wasnt as good as Rimmer's. - I do take into consideration rules changes but Rimmer would have coped no doubt about that.

[clash city rocker]

In 77 was in the lake district. Phoned my dad one night and he said we've just signed Jimmy Rimmer. I was totally underwhelmed. Shows what the f--k i know about goalkeepers. A legend.