Tributes have poured in for 'Mr Barnsley' Norman Rimmington who has died aged 93.
Born in Staincross, Rimmo signed for the Reds as a goalkeeper from Mapplewell Town at the end of the Second World War then, after a broken leg ended his playing career, he was a coach, groundsman, physiotherapist and kitman – working in the washroom into his 90s.
After the club announced his death yesterday, former Reds player and manager John Hendrie said: "Within football, if you think of Barnsley FC, he is the first person who springs to mind. The biggest compliment I can give is that I have never heard anyone say a bad word about Rimmo, which is very rare in football.
"He would always cheer you up and lift your spirits even if things weren't going well. I am very sad about it and I have tears in my eyes talking about him. What he achieved at Barnsley, with all the different jobs over so many years, will never be repeated at any club."
Derrick Parker played for Barnsley in the early 1980s when Rimmington was the physio. He said: "At first I was amazed that big-name players and managers like Allan Clarke and Norman Hunter used this pipe-smoking physio as their confidante and their right hand man. He was the one who told Allan Clarke he should retire after a 7-0 defeat at Reading. He was so embedded in the club's culture and revered by everyone.
"I saw him a few months ago and he was very chatty. It's very sad news and a massive loss."
Nicky Eaden, who played for the Reds from 1992 to 2000, said: "I spoke to Rimmo when Barnsley played Wigan at home (November 19). We watched the game together and he was as sharp as ever. It's very sad and he truly is a Barnsley legend.
"When I first started playing for Barnsley, Rimmo had just gone from physio to groundsman but he was someone who everyone looked to for advice. Every Friday he would bring us young lads fish and chips and tell us stories and we'd listen for hours.
"When I left, I still used to go back to visit him and bring him a bottle of port and a cigar."
Former captain Paul Reid is one of many to say the Reds should name a stand after Norman. He said: "Players come and go but Rimmo was the mainstay of the club, so he definitely deserves that accolade. The lads would be spellbound listening to his stories.
"He used to have a go at me for wearing a hat in training and call me a 'big, soft centre half'. But he was one of the nicest people I have ever met and I'm gutted he's gone."
Another former skipper Brian Howard added: "Rimmo will be sorely missed and I am sure the funeral will be packed with footballers who want to pay tribute to a great man.
"He always used to take me to one side on Fridays and tell me to get in the box as soon as our wingers got on the ball. I got a lot of goals like that so Rimmo used to say on Monday: 'I told you so, son."
Stephen Foster, who also captained the Reds, said: "I knew that Norman was ill but I am devastated that he has died. He's an absolute legend and he typified that Barnsley honesty and dry humour.
"Every Monday if we had lost, he would have a go at every player as they walked past his kit room. But it was always just banter and everyone loved Rimmo. None of the new lads could believe that this club legend and former player was washing our socks."
Rimmo was once famously introduced to Sir Alex Ferguson and the Manchester United manager said: "I know who you are. You're more famous than me."After his 90th birthday celebrations in 2013, Norman told the Chronicle: "Barnsley's the only club I'll ever want, which is just as well because I'm too old to change now anyway. I was born in Barnsley and I have lived here all my life. Barnsley is my club. I had chances to leave but never did. It has been a great experience."
More pictures and quotes in today's Chronicle.
