Leopoldo Caimmi was born in Ancona on December 3, 1906.
He began his career with Roman club Alba Roma in 1923. In 1926 the club merged with Audace Roma and became known as Alba Audace.
In 1927 the Fascist Regime pushed for a single, strong club from Rome and several clubs merged, including Alba Audace, to form A.S Roma. Lazio of course refused and remained fiercely proud and independent.
At this point Caimmi left Rome and joined Livorno. The Amaranto from Leghorn were in the Divisione Nazionale (top flight) and finished 9th in the B group. They should have been relegated but stayed up due to an expansion of the league. Caimmi played 17 league games.
In 1928 he returned to Rome and joined Lazio. The Romans were in the Divisione Nazionale Group B. The top 8 from each group would qualify for the following season's first single national Serie A. The Biancocelesti finished joint 8th with Napoli so went to a playoff which ended in a 2-2 draw. A replay was needed but here came the coup de theatre and both teams were let in due to a decision to increase the teams involved in the new format for geo-political reasons. Lazio were therefore in the new Serie A. The managers were several: Franz Sedlacek (1-3), Fernando Saraceni (4-14), Augusto Rangone (15-23) and finally Ferenc Molnár. Caimmi played 27 league games plus the playoff. Lazio's best result was defeating Juventus 1-0 and Fiorentina 4-0 away and the Viola again 5-1 at home.
In 1929-30 the manager was first Molnár, then Pietro Piselli and then Molnár again and Lazio finished 15th. The Biancocelesti struggled but managed to avoid relegation. The best results included beating Bologna 3-0, Cremonese 6-0 and Modena 4-0. Caimmi played 32 league games and scored 1 goal (Cremonese).
The 1930-31 season was his last in Rome. The manager was first Molnár (1-26), then Cesare Migliorini (27-31) and finally player-manager Amílcar. The Biancocelesti did better and finished 8th. The highlights were defeating Milan 1-0 away, Juventus 2-1 and Ambrosiana-Inter 1-0 at home while both derbies were draws. Caimmi played 20 league games.
In 1931 he joined Atalanta in Serie B. The manager was future Lazio, József Violak (Italianised into Viola) and the Orobici finished 4th. Caimmi played 25 league games.
The following season Viola stayed on but was replaced by compatriot Imre Payer after 17 matches. The Nerazurri finished 17th and should have been relegated but stayed up due to the league being split in two groups and so with more teams. Caimmi again played 25 league games.
In 1933-34 he played a season with Casale in Serie A. The Neri finished 18th and relegated first under Secondo Siviardo (1-5) and then Lajos Czeiler (6-34). Caimmi played 33 league games and scored 1 goal.
In 1934-35 he spent a season in Sardinia with Cagliari in Serie B. The "Casteddu" finished 9th in group B. The manager was first Enrico Crotti and then former Lazio, Ferenc Molnár. Caimmi played 22 league games. At the end of the season the Rossoblu were declared bankrupt and Caimmi moved on.
His last club was Fanfulla (Lodi-Lombardy) in Serie C. The managers were Alessandro Bovati and Pietro De Carli together and the "Guerriero" finished 12th. They then stayed up after a playoff. Caimmi played 11 league games.
At not even 30 he retired.
Caimmi was a midfielder. He was a defensive midfielder as his few goals testify. He played 85 games in the Serie A format and 76 in B.
At Lazio he stayed three seasons, one in the Divisione Nazionale and two in the new Serie A. He played 79 games and scored one goal. It is said that in 1929 Lazio turned down a big offer by Ambrosiana-Inter to sign him.
He died prematurely in Milan on March 15, 1937, at 31 years of age.
Lazio career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | National Division |
1928-29 | 28 | - | 28 |
1929-30 | 31 (1) | 31 (1) | - |
1930-31 | 20 | 20 | - |
Total | 79 (1) | 51 (1) | 28 |
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