Former Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood has revealed he is living with younger onset Alzeimher's Disease.

The 62-year-old has revealed he was first diagnosed with the illness nearly two years ago but has decided to go public in the hope of raising awareness for the illness.

He said: “If, by making this public I can help others talk more openly about dementia, then that will be something positive. That is why I have spoken with Alzheimer Scotland and invited them along to join me today.

(Image: SNS Group)

(Image: SNS Group)

“I haven’t been comfortable with keeping this as a secret and when I recently heard that an old team mate of mine in Holland is also living with Alzheimer’s Disease, it prompted me to go public.

“Right now I am still fine, except for being a bit forgetful with some names but I am determined to continue enjoying my life.”

Calderwood, who also managed Dunfermline, Kilmarnock and Ross County in Scotland as well as having an extensive playing and coaching career in the Netherlands, revealed it was his partner Yvonne who noticed his problems and forced him to get checked out.

He added: “It was actually my partner, Yvonne who noticed I was getting a wee bit forgetful and she insisted that I go and get checked out.

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“I suppose I am a typical West of Scotland man of my generation and the last thing I think about is going to the doctor with anything I think of as just being minor. But I am grateful to her because now I know I have it I can do what I can to fight against it.

"Right now I am keeping myself as fit as I can by going to the gym two or three times a week and I watch a lot of football, both on the television and by going to games. Also, I go down to Birmingham a couple of times a season to see my old pals in the Birmingham ex-Players Association and watch matches there.

(Image: SNS Group)

“I have also been contacted by a number of journalists for my views on certain aspects of football and I’ve got no trouble in being able to give them as I am still up to date with what’s going on in the game, so I hope to keep hearing from them.”

Calderwood is the latest in a long line of former footballers to be diagnosed with the illness, including Celtic legend Billy McNeill, former Rangers striker Jimmy Millar and ex-Dundee United star Frank Kopel.

The number of footballers diagnosed with dementia has led to calls for research into the links between football and the illness.

Jim Pearson, Director of Policy & Research at Alzheimer Scotland, said: “When well-known sportspeople like Jimmy, who are held in high regard in Scotland and beyond, share their story about living with dementia it helps to break down the fear, stigma and discrimination which continue to surround the condition.

"By sharing his story, Jimmy is making a powerful contribution to helping other people, their families and friends, to talk more openly and come forward earlier for help and support if they are worried about their memory or other changes that they have noticed. Dementia knows no boundaries and affects people in every walk of life.”

Anyone who is concerned about dementia, or would like to find out about help or support in their local area, should call Alzheimer Scotland’s Freephone Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000.