It was one of the most memorable debuts in Chester's history - and it happened 30 years ago today.

The date was January 26, 1985, and Stuart Rimmer, a young, goal-hungry striker on loan from Everton, smashed three past Southend United in a 5-1 win for the Blues at Sealand Road.

Rimmer remembers that January afternoon well.

"I scored one on my left foot, one on my right foot and a header" he told The Chronicle in an interview in 2007.

"I've got all the hat-trick balls I was given but I don't know which ones are which. I never got them autographed or dated or anything like that. They're in the garage!"

Rimmer adapted quickly to life in the old Division Four and said his early years as a trainee with Everton stood him in good stead.

"I didn't know what to expect after playing for Everton's reserves, but I found I had a lot more time," he said.

"I had been used to playing against defenders who played first division football, so I found I had more space and, luckily, everything clicked."

Rimmer never looked back after his dream debut.

He was snapped up on a permanent deal from Everton and went on to become Chester's all-time leading scorer, bagging 185 goals in 361 appearances during two spells with the club.

Retirement beckoned at the age of 34 and, with no contract on the table, Rimmer took work delivering milk in his hometown on Southport with Bates Dairy.

He did not hesitate when asked to pick out a highlight from his time with the Blues.

"It was when I got four goals at Preston on my 21st birthday,' he said. "You don't forget things like that, do you? It was October 12, 1985, and we won 6-3!"

Soon after that memorable date at Deepdale, however, Rimmer feared his career might be over.

On November 23 he was seriously injured after colliding with Leyton Orient keeper Peter Wells while scoring in a match at Sealand Road.

It was his 21st goal in 23 matches that season, but it came at a huge cost as he did not play again until the following October.

"I just went in for a 50/50 with the keeper and I actually scored, but my knee went and I knew straight away it was a bad injury," he recalled.

"It took me a good while to get back. It was a good 18 months before I was right again.

"Things weren't as advanced as they are now. I was only young at the time but that probably helped me. If I'd been older, I don't think I'd have come back."