On the eve of his 200th game Steven Pimm admits it’s that ‘gutted feeling’ from last year’s preliminary final that has convinced him to continue his career into 2015. “Last year I was absolutely gutted and I’d be lying if I said it still doesn’t play on my mind.”
The power forward will play his 200th game on Anzac Day against Sth Belgrave, a fitting tribute to a player that loves his club, and because of that is loved by everyone involved at the club.
Pimm’s journey through childhood was far from easy, having lost his father Greg who tragically passed away in a football match against Ringwood on the 17th June 1989, aged 32. Although Greg and Steve were completely different as footballers they both carried similar qualities in life, both highly respected by their family and friends, people that you wanted to be around. Both Pimm’s have achieved great accomplishments over the years, it’s the privilege of being a premiership player for Mitcham that Steve Pimm has so long desired, something his father already lays claim to (1980/81).
Pimm’s junior career began at Walker Park, Mitcham where he played U12’s - U16’s. He then headed over to Glen Waverley Hawks for one year in the U16’s before returning to Mitcham to play Under 18’s. This would be the beginning of Pimm’s football journey, which would see him spread his career over 5 different clubs.
In 2002 at the age of 21 Pimm played senior football for Upper Ferntree Gully. After three years of Division 3 football he came across to Mitcham who were playing Division 1 football in 2005. It was a quick return with Pimm transferring to Scoresby in 2006 who were in Division 2 at that stage. Looking back you can understand the decision. Scoresby won the premiership that year, one of the many highlights that tops Pimm’s achievement list. From 2007 – 2009 Pimm continued to play Division 1 football for the Magpies before heading overseas to play cricket in 2010 and returning for last year in 2011. In 2012 he signed at Daylston and after making the grand final just couldn’t get the job done.
After years of phone calls and offers, Steven returned to Mitcham in 2013 in what could be described as an extremely successful comeback. Pimm topped the EFL Division 3 goal kickers list, was named at full forward in the EFL Div 3 team of the year and took out the Tigers Best & Fairest award, alongside young gun Jackson Glossop.
Since his return to the club Pimm has consistently showed that he is capable of holding down the key forward position, regularly kicking bags of goals for the senior side. Fellow forward Chris Hoegel came across to Mitcham with Pimm after the two had played at Scoresby together. “Pimmy is a ripper bloke who is always there for you as a player and willing to keep your spirits up, not just on the field but off the field too” Hoegel explains. “You feel more comfortable as a forward when he is down there with you, he’s competiveness is there every week.” Although Hoegel says Pimm’s training gets “worse as he gets older”, he is impressed with Pimm’s start to the 2015 season, “he has a real spring in his step this year, it’s like he’s 19 years old again”. Asked about their move back to Mitcham Hoegel explains, “He is such a loyal mate, we both love our footy and unfortunately missed out on a premiership at Scoresby. We are both at Mitcham because we want to win a premiership together, not just for us but for the club and everybody involved.”
It has been a long career for Pimm. 13 years of hard contested football has to take its toll on anyone. After watching Steve’s game against Templestowe last Saturday he’s career looks far from over. After 2 rounds Pimm has already kicked 12 goals, eight of them against the highly talked about Dockers. With the Tigers on the verge of some long awaited success it’s just another reason for the #9 to continue. “The way we won in the qualifying final last year and then lost in the prelim, just doesn’t sit well with me. Finishing the season with a yellow card is something I was disappointed and ashamed with but I / we live and learn from that and have to move on. 2015 has been good so far and I’m really excited about the footy we are putting together as a team.”
After 13 years and 200 games there are many people Pimm wants to thank for their contribution and involvement. People who have shaped him as a man and footballer.
“I’d like to thank my team mates and there’s been quite a few. I could single them out but we would be here for a week. I’m very lucky to have worn the same jumper as a few blokes from all three clubs, Kirby you know you’re one of them.
I’d also like to thank all my friends and family in particular my wife Jess. I can imagine that after some games it would be like walking on egg shells around me and for that I’m sorry. My grandad Gordon for teaching me a few tricks many years ago. Uncle Tony (Tony Andrews) for also teaching me a few tricks of the trade but also for always telling me straight and how it is. Matty for all the game day debriefs either Saturday night or Sunday over the phone or a beer (I think you’ve been telling me for 4 years to hang them up…still going pal). To all the trainers who have kept me on the ground especially Brookey Witherow who is not only a great trainer but a good friend, not afraid to tell me when I need to pull my head in. To Macca from Scoresby (the grumpiest trainer I have ever known) but knew exactly how to fix me and Heather from Upper FTG who looked after me when I was just a twig and ‘broke easily’. Without you guys I wouldn’t have made this milestone. Thanks to Macca and his committee at Mitcham for making my last couple of years so enjoyable. I love the club you guys are running and it’s just a great place to be around.
Lastly I want to thank my sister and mum. Megan for your not so inspirational but funny messages before a game. They definitely calm me down or confuse me so much I forget about getting so worked up. Mum, I think you have missed no more than five games in my entire EFL career. Week in, week out in rain hail or shine you are there supporting me. It’s an amazing effort and something I truly appreciate. I can imagine it must be hard hearing some of the things that are yelled out over the fence…no matter how true they are.”
Well Pimmy nothing more would gladden the hearts of the Mitcham faithful than if you could help break the longest premiership drought in the EFL but regardless of where the tigers finish this year - WELL DONE on an excellent career thus far and THANK YOU for bringing so much joy to all those that follow the Mitcham Football Club
Last Modified on 23/04/2015 20:40