IT was the kind of debut even Roy of the Rovers would have dreamed about.

On this day (January 26 2007) 22 years ago, former Southport and Everton youth prospect Stuart Rimmer walked out a Chester City player to face Southend United.

Over the ensuing 90 minutes he scored one goal with his right foot, one with his left and completed a perfect debut hat-trick with a header.

Reflecting on his football career, the Sandgrounder told LookBack: “I didn’t know what to expect after playing for Everton’s reserves, but I found I had a lot more time.

“I had been used to playing against defenders who played First Division football, so I found I had more space and luckily everything clicked.”

Stuart, now 42, had been signed on a three month loan after spending three years in Everton’s reserves.

He had made his debut at 17, but despite his promise, the lethal striking partnership of Adrian Heath and Graeme Sharp kept him warming the bench.

Fourteen goals in the next 20 games for Chester, and a permanent move to the then Sealand Road side was sealed.

In contrast to his league scoring record, Stuart says he always struggled to score in the FA Cup and never played past this weekend’s fixtures – the fourth round.

The former England youth international said: “I only ever got as far as the fourth round, but it was special, especially for the lower league clubs – they were the best weekends of the year.

“It’s a bit different for the Premiership clubs, because they’ve got more important things to worry about, but we’d always look forward to the draw.”

Stuart went on to play for Watford, Notts County, Walsall and Barnsley before switching back to the team that spawned Anfield legend Ian Rush.

Retirement beckoned at 34, and with no contract on the table, Stuart took work delivering Southport’s milk with Bates Dairy – a job he’s retained ever since.

But, as an Everton fan, his most poignant memory is those first steps onto the Goodison Park pitch 25 years ago.

He added: “The first game I played was probably my favourite.

“I got to play for the team I support, and very few people get to do that.”

Stuart remains Chester City’s all time leading goalscorer, with 185 goals in 361 appearances between 1985 and 1998.

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