'Jimmy Calderwood was a father figure to me and gave advice on ...

Ex-Aberdeen star Zander Diamond has told how Jimmy Calderwood was like a father figure to him and last saw his former manager just a few months before his death.

Calderwood died aged 69 last month after years of health woes. The former Dons boss went public on his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2017.

Diamond spent eight years at Aberdeen, making over 200 appearances for the north east club, and spending five years under Calderwood, from 2004 to 2009.

The 39-year-old said: "I’m deeply saddened by Jimmy’s passing. I was very close to Jimmy. He was a true gentleman and a father figure to me from when he first came to Aberdeen.

"He was at my wedding in 2015 to Nadine. Even on the morning of my wedding, he gave me some advice! That was very thoughtful of him.

"Football has lost a massive character in Jimmy in more ways than one. He’d been battling illness for a long time but, being the fighter he is, he hung on. It’s a terrible disease. Prior to that catching up with him, he clearly wanted to enjoy his life to the maximum.

"He will be remembered fondly by myself and, I’m sure, by everyone from Aberdeen Football Club at that time. When he came into the football club, he warmed to me and I warmed to him.

"He shaped my career. Even now, being a manager, he shaped what I expect from my team. It was a five-year relationship that prolonged and it’s very sad to learn that the illness has caught up with him."

Yesterday we told how Jimmy's son Scott Calderwell led a walk-out at his funeral over "disrespect to his family".

Family and friends came together with Jimmy's old colleagues from across Scottish football for the church service at Shiedhall and Drumoyne United Free Church of Scotland.

However his son, Scott, stood up and walked out during the crematorium service in Cardonald amidst a row with Jimmy's partner Yvonne Buchanan.

Scott, 46, told the Record his mum was not in attendance and his family felt disrespected during the service.

Ex-Ross County assistant manager, Scott said: "The service barely mentioned any of our family.

"What happened yesterday had been brewing with Yvonne for years as my dad's illness got worse.

"We couldn't just stand there and be disrespected like that. My dad wouldn't have stood for that sort of thing so I couldn't either.

"It wasn't just the disrespect for my mum, it was for all of my family who they just tried to whitewash out of his life.

"I couldn't just stand there and be a spectator at my own dad's funeral and act like I barely knew the man.

"They had security guards there to keep us all apart.

"I know for a fact my dad wouldn't have wanted that so it was just complete disregard for his wishes.

"I had enough and just couldn't stand there and listen to that so I decided to walk out and some of my family joined me.

"I just want to grieve for my dad now."

Jimmy's partner Yvonne Buchanan was approached but declined to comment.

Calderwood, who managed in the Netherlands before landing the Dunfermline job in 1999, became Aberdeen manager in 2004, after the Dons finished second bottom of the league.

He led them to fourth place on three occasions, sixth in 2005/06 and third the following season, as well as masterminding a historic UEFA Cup run which saw them faces European heavyweights Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.

Jimmy's last spell as a manager was with the Dutch club De Graafschap in 2014 and he retired shortly afterwards.