Mr Barnsley Passes Away

Last updated : 29 December 2016 By Rob Miles (BarnsleyBoy)

The whole of Barnsley is in mourning today after the passing of one of it’s football club’s greatest sons passed away at the age of 93.

Norman Rimmington was known as “Mr Barnsley” after dedicating most of his life to Barnsley Football Club. He was born in Staincross in 1923 and started out with local amateur side Mapplewell Town as a goalkeeper before joining his beloved Barnsley in 1946. “Rimmo” as he was also affectionately known only played for one season at Oakwell before moving to Hartlepool United and then returned to Yorkshire to turn out for Denaby United.

Following retirement at the tender age of 29 in 1952 he returned to Oakwell and dedicated the rest of his life to the club, starting out as a team coach in 1952, Head coach and physio from 1961 to 1972, groundsman and physio from 1972 to 1978, assistant manager and physio from 1978 to 1980 and then physio from 1980 to 1985.

At the age of 62 Rimmington tool over the role of kitman and sorting out the laundry and become a firm friend and mentor for many players who have passed through the club over the last 31 years.

Several Barnsley supporters are now trying to organise a minute’s applause in the 71st minute of this weekend’s match against Birmingham to recognise the 71 years Rimmo dedicated to his boyhood team.

Rather poignantly the last time The Reds achieved a league double over the team from the Second City was in 1946-1947 when Rimmo was between the posts….