Jimmy Calderwood dead aged 69 as tributes pour in for ex Aberdeen and Dunfermline boss after dementia battle

Beloved former Dunfermline and Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood has died at the age of 69 after a lengthy battle with dementia.

Calderwood passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning with devoted partner Yvonne Buchanan and her two daughters by his side. Calderwood, who also bossed Kilmarnock and Ross County, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2015.

Two years later he went public with his plight and spoke of his determination to continue enjoying life as much as possible.

And he hoped that opening up would help raise awareness of the condition. The ex-Birmingham City star was, in his prime, one of Scottish football’s most colourful and popular characters.

Heartbroken Yvonne said today: “What can I say? I’ve lost the love of my life to a very cruel disease. We shared so many special moments together, especially with my children - Mark, Carla and Jolana - and we are all devastated.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported and loved him. Your kindness, care and unwavering support meant the world not only to him but to all of us. I’d like to extend my gratitude to the staff at Abbotsford House in Bearsden, Glasgow. We kindly ask for privacy during this incredibly sad time and thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.”

An iconic figure of the Scottish game, Calderwood spent his playing career south of the board during an eight-year spell with Birmingham City - where he also had a stint on loan at Cambridge United. He moved to the Netherlands where he turned out for Sparta Rotterdam, Willem II, Roda JC and Heracles before taking his first steps into the dugout.

Calderwood returned to manage Willem II before joining NEC Nijmegen - and eventually making his move into Scottish football with