Happy Birthday to Stuart Rimmer - October 2007

Today is a special date in the history of Chester City Football Club. The Blues all time record goal scorer, Stuart Rimmer celebrates his birthday. You have to go back 22 years for City’s last win on this date. A certain Stuart Rimmer was celebrating his 21st birthday and he capped a terrific performance by helping himself to four goals in an astonishing 6-3 victory against Preston North End at Deepdale. His 17 goals in 15 games helped extend Chester’s unbeaten run to nine gams as they challenged for promotion that year.

After a quiet start the game came to life after 31 minutes when five goals were scored in a dramatic 14 minute spell. Milton Graham, who had a magnificent game, set up the first goal when his low cross was met by Rimmer and the skilful midfielder repeated the trick six minutes later, for John Kelly to score against his former club. Preston pulled one back through Wayne Foster after 40 minutes, but by half time Chester were 4-1 ahead as Stuart Rimmer completed his hat trick. Graham was the creator of Rimmer’s 2nd with a superb pass, and straight from the kick off Rimmer sprinted through the Preston defence before cooly slipping the ball past Platt.

In the second half Ricky Greenhough came on for David Murray and joined the scoring spree when he chested down Brett’s corner before firing in City’s fifth. Slack defensive play allowed Preston to pull two goals back through Welsh and a Gary Brazil penalty, but four minutes from time Rimmer rounded off the scoring with a twice taken penalty after Atkins had brought down Greenhough. In the last minute Rimmer had an excellent opportunity to add a 7th for Chester but he shot wide when it looked easlier to score.

After the match the players were typically brought down to earth by Harry McNally who gave them a verbal roasting for the sloppy defending that almost let Preston back into the game!