Bobby Mimms
Encyclopedia
Robert Andrew "Bobby" Mimms (born 12 October 1963) is an English former football goalkeeper.
, Mimms began his footballing career as an apprentice at Halifax Town
. However, he failed to break into the first team and joined Rotherham United
in November 1981 for a fee of £15,000. During the 1980s, Mimms played for no less eight different clubs, as managers were reluctant to give the young goalkeeper a chance. However, due to an injury to Neville Southall
, Mimms played in goal for Everton for a large part of the 1985–86 season. Everton finished runners up in the league championship and Mimms also played in the 1986 FA Cup Final, which Everton lost 3–1 to Liverpool.
He got his second big break in December 1990, when Blackburn Rovers
manager Don Mackay
signed him for a fee of £250,000 from Tottenham Hotspur
. Mimms' arrival coincided with "the Jack Walker
revolution" at Ewood Park
.
Blackburn began the 1991–92 season poorly, and Mackay was soon sacked to make way for Kenny Dalglish
. Dalglish made several substantial signings during the season and Blackburn reached the playoff final where they beat Leicester City
1–0, ending 26 years outside the top flight.
Mimms was an integral part of this team. However, Jack Walker was not one to rest on his laurels and after the club's promotion vast amounts of money were spent to recruit the finest talents in the country to Ewood Park. Players such as Alan Shearer
, Stuart Ripley
, Graeme Le Saux
, Kevin Gallacher
were brought to the club and Mimms was a key part of the team which finished fourth in the 1992–93 season, just missing out on a UEFA Cup
place.
In 1993 Southampton
goalkeeper Tim Flowers
was brought in as the new number one. Mimms made few first team appearances after Flowers' signing, including 4 during Rovers' Premier League winning season of 1994-95, and in 1996 joined Crystal Palace
, for whom he made a single appearance. He then dropped into the lower divisions, playing for Preston North End
, Rotherham United
, hometown club York City
and finished off his playing career at Mansfield Town
in 2001.
, before returning to Blackburn to fulfil the same role in August 2008.
Mimms is the father of York City
goalkeeper Josh Mimms, who previously played in the youth teams of Rotherham United
and Liverpool
. Since retiring from playing professionally, he has represented Blackburn Rovers in the Masters football
tournament.
Playing career
Born in YorkYork
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
, Mimms began his footballing career as an apprentice at Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
. However, he failed to break into the first team and joined Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
in November 1981 for a fee of £15,000. During the 1980s, Mimms played for no less eight different clubs, as managers were reluctant to give the young goalkeeper a chance. However, due to an injury to Neville Southall
Neville Southall
Neville Southall MBE is a former Wales international footballer, best known for his time with Everton. He has been described as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and won the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 1985...
, Mimms played in goal for Everton for a large part of the 1985–86 season. Everton finished runners up in the league championship and Mimms also played in the 1986 FA Cup Final, which Everton lost 3–1 to Liverpool.
He got his second big break in December 1990, when Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
manager Don Mackay
Don Mackay
Donald Mackay is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.-As player:He was a goalkeeper and played for Forfar Athletic and made 104 appearances. He was then signed for Dundee United by Jerry Kerr, for whom he made 170 appearances...
signed him for a fee of £250,000 from Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
. Mimms' arrival coincided with "the Jack Walker
Jack Walker
Jack Walker was a British industrialist and businessman, from Blackburn, Lancashire. Walker invested tens of millions of pounds in Blackburn Rovers football club after amassing a personal fortune of £600 million...
revolution" at Ewood Park
Ewood Park
Ewood Park is a football stadium in the English town of Blackburn, Lancashire, and is the home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club — one of the founder members of the Football League and Premier League. Rovers have played there since they moved from Leamington Street in the summer of 1890. The...
.
Blackburn began the 1991–92 season poorly, and Mackay was soon sacked to make way for Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish
Kenneth Mathieson "Kenny" Dalglish MBE is a Scottish former footballer and the current manager of Liverpool F.C.. In a 22-year playing career, he played for two club teams, Celtic and Liverpool, winning numerous honours with both. He is the most capped Scottish player, with 102 appearances, and...
. Dalglish made several substantial signings during the season and Blackburn reached the playoff final where they beat Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
1–0, ending 26 years outside the top flight.
Mimms was an integral part of this team. However, Jack Walker was not one to rest on his laurels and after the club's promotion vast amounts of money were spent to recruit the finest talents in the country to Ewood Park. Players such as Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer OBE, DL is a retired English footballer. He played as a striker in the top level of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and for the England national team...
, Stuart Ripley
Stuart Ripley
Stuart Edward Ripley is a retired English footballer, who played as a winger.With speed as his main asset, he also scored numerous goals, especially in his early career at Middlesbrough.-Football career:...
, Graeme Le Saux
Graeme Le Saux
Graeme Pierre Le Saux is a retired English footballer of French ancestry who played for the Premier League clubs Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Southampton, and for the England national football team. Primarily a left back, he was sometimes also played in midfield or on the left wing.After...
, Kevin Gallacher
Kevin Gallacher
Kevin William Gallacher is a Scottish former professional footballer and now a sports pundit.He is the grandson of the late Celtic forward Patsy Gallacher, who died before he was born.-Career:...
were brought to the club and Mimms was a key part of the team which finished fourth in the 1992–93 season, just missing out on a UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
place.
In 1993 Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
goalkeeper Tim Flowers
Tim Flowers
Timothy David "Tim" Flowers is an English former football goalkeeper and the former manager of Conference North team Stafford Rangers.-Club career:...
was brought in as the new number one. Mimms made few first team appearances after Flowers' signing, including 4 during Rovers' Premier League winning season of 1994-95, and in 1996 joined Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, for whom he made a single appearance. He then dropped into the lower divisions, playing for Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
, Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
, hometown club York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
and finished off his playing career at Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
in 2001.
Coaching career
Between 2001 and 2008 Mimms worked as goalkeeping coach at Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, before returning to Blackburn to fulfil the same role in August 2008.
Mimms is the father of York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
goalkeeper Josh Mimms, who previously played in the youth teams of Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
and Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. Since retiring from playing professionally, he has represented Blackburn Rovers in the Masters football
Masters football
Masters football is a 6 a-side indoor football competition in the United Kingdom, where players over the age of 35 are chosen by the Masters Football Selection Committee to represent a senior club which they played for. Regional heats are held, and the winners of each go forward to a national...
tournament.