The First Chester Spell
There was to be a dramatic start to Rimmer's career with Chester, as he struck a hat–trick against Southend United in a 5–1 win on January 26, 1985. By the end of the season Rimmer had comfortably had finished as the club's top scorer with 14 goals and helped City to mid–table safety. Rimmer had by now joined Chester permanently for a nominal sum made available by the sale of Peter Zelem to Wolves for £12,500.
The following season began in explosive fashion, with Rimmer scoring a staggering 21 times in the first 23 league and cup games as Chester shot to the top of Division Four. This spell included four goals at Preston North End on his 21st birthday in a 6–3 win. But tragedy was to strike the following month when scoring against Orient, as he collided with goalkeeper Peter Wells and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. Chester soldiered on to win promotion as runners–up in his absence, although they were to struggle to match their early season form and finished 18 points adrift of champions Swindon Town.
Rimmer finally returned to action as a late substitute against Doncaster Rovers on October 4, 1986. He scored two penalties later in the month but it wasn't until the following February that he scored again from open play. He ended the season with 13 goals to his name and was back to his prolific best in 1987–88, prompting the return of scouts from leading clubs to Sealand Road. He had struck 24 times in the league (27 in total) by the time top-flight side Watford signed him for £210,000 (with half of the fee going to Everton) early in March 1988. Rimmer's final goals for Chester had come in a dramatic 3–1 win over Gillingham on March 2, 1988, when he scored three times in the last 10 minutes to turn the match on its head.
Read more about this topic: Stuart Rimmer
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