Jimmy Calderwood: Tributes paid as former Aberdeen and Dunfermline manager dies

Former Scottish footballer and manager passes away

Jimmy Calderwood, the former Aberdeen and Dunfermline Athletic manager, has died aged 69.

The Glaswegian, who also had spells in charge of Kilmarnock and Ross County and spent much of his career in the Netherlands, had been suffering from dementia.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Calderwood made his name during a five-year spell in charge of Dunfermline, winning promotion from the Scottish First Division in 2000 before guiding the club to its highest ever top flight finish when claiming fourth place four years later. He also reached the final of the Scottish Cup in 2004, losing 3-1 to Celtic, before departing East End Park to join Aberdeen later that year.

During his five-year reign at Pittodrie, Calderwood reached the last 32 of the Uefa Cup, where his side claimed a famous 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich before losing the return leg in Germany. His best domestic success came in season 2006-07, when the Dons finished third in the league - their highest placing in 21 years.

He parted company with the Dons in 2009 before short-lived stints in charge of Kilmarnock and Ross County, winning the Scottish Challenge Cup with the latter in 2010-11.

Former Aberdeen and Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood has died aged 69.Former Aberdeen and Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood has died aged 69.
Former Aberdeen and Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood has died aged 69. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602

"Everyone at Aberdeen FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former manager Jimmy Calderwood," read a statement on social media. "The thoughts of all at the club are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dunfermline said they were "hugely saddened" by his death with club chairman and CEO David Cook paying tribute. "On behalf of everyone at Dunfermline Athletic, we are all shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Jimmy Calderwood,” he said. “Jimmy constructed a fantastic squad of players in the early 2000s that had Pars fans on the edge of their seats with his bold attacking style of football. He brought some magnificent moments to this club, none more so than helping us reach the Scottish Cup Final in 2004. The sea of black and white at Hampden was testament to the force he had created. Our deepest condolences go to Jimmy’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Former Aberdeen and Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood has died aged 69.Former Aberdeen and Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood has died aged 69.
Former Aberdeen and Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood has died aged 69. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602

A midfielder, Calderwood started as an apprentice with Birmingham City in 1971, going on to make over 150 senior appearances before joining Sparta Rotterdam in 1979. He stayed in the Netherlands for the remainder of his playing career turning out for Willem II, Roda JC and Hercales, where he retired in 1989 and became a coach.

His first managerial appointment came in 1996 when he was promoted from his assistant's position at Willem II, before moving to NEC Nijmegen a year later. In 1999, Dunfermline brought him home to Scotland, where he remained until moving back to the Netherlands with Go Ahead Eagles in 2012 before his final managerial stint at De Graafschap in 2014. He was appointed onto the board of directors at Cowdenbeath in 2016.

Calderwood was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2017 and decided to go public about his condition in a bid to raise awareness. He told the BBC: “I can have a moan, as many of my players would say, but I’ve had a wonderful life in football. I’ve seen great places, travelled the world.”

Comments

 0 comments

Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.

Dare to be Honest
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice