Norman Rimmington (29 November 1923 – 29 December 2016) was an English footballer who played in
the Football League
The English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, the league is the oldest such competition in the world. It was the top-level football league in Engla ...
for
Barnsley
Barnsley () is a market town in South Yorkshire, England. As the main settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley and the fourth largest settlement in South Yorkshire. In Barnsley, the population was 96,888 while the wider Borough has ...
and
Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. The team competes in League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system.
They were founded in 1908 as Hartle ...
.
Career
Rimmington was born in
Staincross
Staincross is a village in South Yorkshire, England, on the border with West Yorkshire. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, it formed part of the defunct Barnsley West and Penistone borough constituency, following the Boundary ...
and began work in the local pit whilst playing amateur football with Mapplewell Town. He joined
Barnsley
Barnsley () is a market town in South Yorkshire, England. As the main settlement of the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley and the fourth largest settlement in South Yorkshire. In Barnsley, the population was 96,888 while the wider Borough has ...
in 1945 on 'amateur terms' but signed professionally for the Tykes upon the resumption of league football (following WW2's conclusion) in 1946. He spent one season with Barnsley before joining
Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. The team competes in League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system.
They were founded in 1908 as Hartle ...
. He spent five years at Hartlepool making 124 league appearances before returning to Yorkshire to play for
Denaby United. After end his playing career Barnsley manager
Tim Ward handed Rimmington a coaching role at the club. From then he worked as groundsman, then became a chartered physio before taking up the role as kit man at
Oakwell
Oakwell is a multi-purpose sports development in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England used primarily by Barnsley Football Club for playing their home fixtures, and those of their reserves.
While the name 'Oakwell' generally refers to the main s ...
. Rimmington was still working at Oakwell in the laundry room past his 90th birthday.
On 29 December 2016, Rimmington died at the age of 93. He was known as Rimmo or Mr Barnsley for his services to the local community.
On 30 December 2016, Barnsley announced that Rimmington was aware that he was to be awarded a
British Empire Medal
The British Empire Medal (BEM; formerly British Empire Medal for Meritorious Service) is a British and Commonwealth award for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. The current honour was created in 1922 to ...
for services to the local community and football in the
2017 New Year Honours
The 2017 New Year Honours are appointments by some of the 16 Commonwealth realms to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by citizens of those countries. The New Year Honours were awarded as part of the New Year celebrati ...
List. His family will receive the medal on his behalf.
Honours
*
Barnsley Hall of Fame
References
External links
*
BBC Article
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rimmington, Norman
1923 births
2016 deaths
English men's footballers
Denaby United F.C. players
English Football League players
Barnsley F.C. players
Hartlepool United F.C. players
Recipients of the British Empire Medal
Men's association football goalkeepers
Barnsley F.C. non-playing staff
Sportspeople from the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley
Footballers from South Yorkshire