Jimmy Attacks Lack Of Investment

Last updated : 03 March 2006 By Stand Free Ed

Dons boss Jimmy Calderwood has attacked the lack of investment in football from the Government. On the day he picked up his Manager of the Month award for February, he told reporters that he wants the Scottish Executive to invest in better training facilities throughout the country.

Calderwood has seen heavy snow play havoc with the Dons' weekend preparations in the last few days, and he feels Scotland must be brought into line with other European countries.

He told BBC Sport:"The government have to try and fund this because the clubs won't be able to do it themselves.

"If you look at other countries, such as England and Holland, they have both got it spot on when it comes to training facilities.

"And I have been told Norway are investing in 50 indoor centres, which are being built throughout the country. But, unfortunately, we don't have a clue.

"Training has been a nightmare for us this week and I think it will be the same for many other teams because Rangers are the only top club with the right standard of facilities.

"I don't think it is a mentality within Scottish football which is being highlighted, because we would all like better places to train. I just think there is a lack of funding to get it done.

"What we are lacking is people with vision and, although I don't like to get involved in politics, I don't think it would do us any harm in producing better players as a nation if everyone could train twice a day every day throughout the season."