Name: Robert ‘Bobby’ Mimms
In his 90s prime for: Blackburn Rovers
Lowdown: Since beginning his career in 1981, goalkeeper Mimms played over three separate decades and had an impressive amount of clubs. May as well list these before we get started: Halifax Town, Rotherham United, Everton, Notts County, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Aberdeen, Crystal Palace, Preston, York City and Mansfield.
Mimms’ top-level career began at Everton where he played in the 1986 FA Cup final, losing out to rivals Liverpool. He soon moved on to Spurs, where he performed as second-choice (a position with which he would become familiar through the years) before being sold on to Blackburn Rovers.
At Ewood Park, Mimms was able to establish himself as first choice at a club with big ambitions. He played throughout the inaugural Premier League season as Blackburn finished fourth. However, Tim Flowers was then signed from Southampton, pushing Mimms down the pecking order. He missed out on a winners’ medal, making only four appearances as Rovers won the Premier League title in 1995.
In 1996 he was permitted to move on to Crystal Palace, which started a five year period of him dropping down the Football League ladder.
Now: Since retiring from professional football when at Mansfield in 2001, Mimms was immediately appointed as Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Goalkeeping Coach. He stayed at Molineux until 2008, when he joined former club Blackburn, performing the same role where he still remains. He has also played for Rovers’ Masters football team.
