 Alexander in 2007 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Keith Alexander[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1956-11-14)14 November 1956[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Nottingham, England | ||
| Date of death | 3 March 2010(2010-03-03) (aged 53) | ||
| Place of death | Lincoln, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||
| Position | Centre forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1974 | Notts County | 0 | (0) |
| 1975 | Wisbech Town | ||
| 1975–1976 | Arnold | ||
| 1976–1977 | Worksop Town | ||
| 1977 | Clifton All Whites | ||
| 1977 | Attenborough | ||
| 1977–1978 | Ilkeston Town | 17 | (1) |
| 1978 | Kimberley Town | ||
| 1978–1979 | Alfreton Town | 7 | (0) |
| 1979–1980 | Stamford | 51 | (13) |
| 1980–1981 | Boston United | 7 | (0) |
| 1981 | King's Lynn | 12 | (3) |
| 1981–1982 | Stamford | 43 | (11) |
| 1982 | Corby Town | 2 | (1) |
| 1982–1983 | Spalding United | 37 | (18) |
| 1983 | Boston Town | 0 | (0) |
| 1983 | Grantham Town | 2 | (0) |
| 1983–1984 | King's Lynn | 12 | (1) |
| 1984–1986 | Kettering Town | 74 | (11) |
| 1986 | →Wisbech Town (loan) | 6 | (4) |
| 1986–1988 | Barnet | 72 | (22) |
| 1988–1990 | Grimsby Town | 83 | (26) |
| 1990 | Stockport County | 11 | (0) |
| 1990–1994 | Lincoln City | 45 | (4) |
| 1994–1996 | Mansfield Town | 3 | (0) |
| 1995 | →Cliftonville (loan) | 7 | (2) |
| 1996 | Ilkeston Town | 0 | (0) |
| Total | 415 | (115) | |
| International career | |||
| 1990 | Saint Lucia | 3 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1993–1994 | Lincoln City | ||
| 1996–2000 | Ilkeston Town | ||
| 2000–2001 | Northwich Victoria | ||
| 2002–2006 | Lincoln City | ||
| 2006–2007 | Peterborough United | ||
| 2008–2010 | Macclesfield Town | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Keith Alexander (14 November 1956 – 3 March 2010) was afootballer andmanager. Born inNottingham, England, he was the manager ofLeague Two sideMacclesfield Town at the time of his death, in a career that included international appearances forSaint Lucia. Alexander played for a large number of lower league football teams. His main success, however, came from football management – managing in bothnon-league and theFootball League. He tookLeague One sideLincoln City to four consecutive play-offs, taking them to two finals at theMillennium Stadium. His eldest son, Matthew Alexander, is a FIFA licensed football agent and works with many top flight players.
He was believed at the time of his death to have been the first full-timeblack professional manager in the Football League, though this was in factTony Collins atRochdale in 1960.[2] He was the first black qualified referee in England,[3] and is considered by many to be a pioneer of the modern game.[3][4][5]
Alexander began his career in non-league football, joiningArnold as a nineteen-year-old.[6] He spent the 1977–78 season withIlkeston Town, debuting in the home game withLouth United on 24 September 1977 and going on to make 17 appearances for the club, scoring a single goal, with his final game being the away fixture withSutton Town on 5 April 1978.[7]
In March 1979, Alexander joinedStamford fromAlfreton Town and scored the first goal in the club's 2–0FA Vase final win overGuisborough Town in April 1980 as the side won the unique treble ofUnited Counties League Championship, League Cup and FA Vase during the 1979–80 season. Leaving at the end of the season, Alexander enjoyed spells withBoston United andKing's Lynn before returning to Stamford for the 1981–82 season being part of a side which completed aUnited Counties League double. In total he made 94 appearances for the Daniels, scoring 24 goals.[8] After a short spell atCorby Town, which witnessed Alexander score one goal in two games, he joinedSpalding United where he scored 18 goals in theNorthern Counties East Football League during his solitary season at the club in 1982–83.[9]
He went on to have brief spells atBoston Town,Grantham Town, andKing's Lynn in 1983, before joiningKettering Town just before the start of the 1983–84 season; where he spent two seasons and played 74 games for theNorthamptonshire side, scoring 11 times. During his time at Kettering, Alexander had a brief, but successful, loan spell atWisbech Town, and was instrumental in the club'sFA Vase run that year – scoring a hat-trick againstHarwich & Parkeston in a 5–0 win on his debut, followed by a goal in the semi-final againstSouthall.[10] In the middle of 1986,Barry Fry secured the signing of Alexander atBarnet, who were playing in theFootball Conference at the time. He scored 22 goals in 72 games in his two years at the club as the club narrowly missed out on promotion.[11]
After many years in non-league, Alexander ended his playing career in league football, most notably forGrimsby Town. He earned his move from non-league to the Football League when then-Grimsby managerAlan Buckley saw Alexander playing forBarnet, and subsequently signed him for £11,500.[12] He made his Grimsby debut againstTorquay United in September 1988, and went on to score 14 league goals in 44 games during the club's 1988–89 campaign; including a goal againstFA Cup holdersWimbledon atPlough Lane.[13] The following season, Alexander scored a further 12 goals in 38 games, including the two goals that ensured Grimsby's promotion in a 2–0 win overSouthend United.[12] He then joinedStockport County, before linking up withLincoln City for the 1992–93 season.
After a short spell as Lincoln City manager, he played a couple more games forMansfield Town, before joining Northern Ireland outfitCliftonville on loan.[14] During his brief spell at Cliftonville during the 1994–95 season, Alexander scored on his debut in a 4–3 victory overPortadown, as well as netting a further goal againstGlentoran. He also scored twice for Cliftonville as they eliminatedLinfield in the League Cup quarter final atWindsor Park.[15] He returned to his parent club, Mansfield, at the end of the season and made one further appearance the following year; coming on as a substitute in a game againstExeter City in January 1996. It was to signal the end of Alexander's playing days, as he broke his leg in injury-time.[14] He did, however, remain registered as a player in the first season of managingIlkeston Town, although he did not make any first-team appearances.[7][16]
Alexander won theFA Vase in 1980 withStamford, scoring one of the goals in a 2–0 win overGuisborough Town atWembley.[17][18] While he was playing forGrimsby Town, Alexander played international football forSt. Lucia, earning three international caps in 1990.[19] Alexander also becameMansfield Town's oldest ever goal scorer when he came off the bench to score twice againstCrewe Alexandra at the age of 37.[14]
With his playing career winding down, Alexander was appointed youth team coach forLincoln City, during which time he developed the likes ofDarren Huckerby andMatt Carbon. At the end of the 1992–93 season, Lincoln's chairmanJohn Reames announced thatSteve Thompson's contract as first team manager would not be renewed and Alexander was placed in caretaker charge, steering the Imps to a 2–0 home victory overDarlington in the final game of the season. Officially appointed to the role in the summer of 1993, Alexander became the first permanently appointed black manager in theFootball League;[20] Edwin Stein had earlier been in temporary charge atBarnet. He lasted only a season in charge beforeSam Ellis succeeded him in the hot seat.
For the best part of a decade, Alexander then managed two semi-professional teams,Ilkeston Town during 1996–2000 andNorthwich Victoria during 2000–01. During his time at Ilkeston, Alexander ensured the club's highest ever league placing, as well as twoFA Cup runs that witnessed the side beat league opposition in the form ofBoston United andCarlisle United. He is believed to be "the most successful manager in Ilkeston Town's history".[16] He subsequently took charge ofNorthwich Victoria during the2000–01 season, with Northwich in the relegation zone five points adrift from safety. Alexander orchestrated a great escape to steer Victoria away from relegation and to keep the club in the top tier of non-league football. The club also had anFA Cup run during the same season, which witnessed them holdLeyton Orient 3–3 in the second round.[21]
On 11 July 2001, Alexander returned toSincil Bank as Director of Coaching on a three-year contract.[22] He was tasked with ensuring the continuity of coaching and football from the Centre of Excellence through youth to the first team and acting asAssistant Manager toAlan Buckley, his formerGrimsby Town manager. With Lincoln entering administration at the end of the2001–02 season, Buckley was relieved of his duties as manager on financial grounds[23] and Alexander placed in charge of all football matters.
On 3 May 2002 Lincoln successfully petitioned to go into administration[24] but the financial crisis would leave the first team squad bereft of players as the day saw five senior players –Jason Barnett,Grant Brown,David Cameron,Steve Holmes andJustin Walker – released at the end of their contracts[25] with a sixth,Lee Thorpe, departing forLeyton Orient.[26] A hectic day finished with confirmation of Alexander's official appointment as team manager.[27] Three other senior players,Tony Battersby,[28]Kingsley Black,[29] andIan Hamilton,[30] would later leave the club by mutual consent as their contracts, including appearance money, had made them too expensive for Alexander's plans.[31]
Remaining at the club were formerTottenham Hotspur youngstersAlan Marriott andPeter Gain, Northern Ireland B international centre-backPaul Morgan along with midfieldersAdam Buckley,Mark Camm andBen Sedgemore and wing-backsMark Bailey andStuart Bimson and Alexander complemented their talents with a series of signings from outside of theFootball League. After just one week in the job, Alexander completed his first two signings bringingBen Futcher andDene Cropper to the club on initial one-year contracts.[32] One week later, Alexander made a second double swoop withSimon Weaver andSimon Yeo joining the ranks.[33]
Alexander oversaw an upturn in fortunes at the club, who were now owned by theirSupporters' Trust. He used direct tactics and, following a good season with an impressive away record, they finished in the play-off places with a chance of promotion to theSecond Division. However, Lincoln were defeated byAFC Bournemouth in the play-off final at theMillennium Stadium,Cardiff. The 5–2 result established a new record for goals scored in a playoff final. Alexander was highly praised for his work at Lincoln during the2002–03 season, taking a club that had finished two places off the bottom of the League and was working its way out of administration, to a play-off position on a shoe-string budget. He subsequently earned the nickname 'Alexander The Great'.[34]
The2003–04 season began poorly, and in November 2003 Alexander suffered acerebral aneurysm. Alexander had been accompanied by his assistantGary Simpson on a scouting mission that evening but felt ill on returning home and retired to bed. His wife later called an ambulance and Alexander was rushed to theRoyal Hallamshire Hospital in time for potentially life saving surgery. His condition slowly improved and he returned to work in February 2004, where Simpson had been acting as caretaker manager.
Despite their poor start to the season, Lincoln's campaign improved. VeteranStuart Bimson had moved on, toCambridge United, and youngsterPaul Mayo was sold toWatford for an initial £75,000, but the acquisitions ofJamie McCombe,Marcus Richardson,Gary Taylor-Fletcher,Francis Green and loaneeKevin Ellison meant that they finished in the play-off places. Lincoln were beaten byHuddersfield Town in the semi-finals.
In the close season Alexander purchasedGareth McAuley andCiaran Toner. Toner and Marcus Richardson were later involved in a training ground fracas, and were both allowed to leave on loan with a view to a transfer. Regardless, rumours persisted that the morale of the squad was low both because of this incident, and in relation to the payment of bonuses. Lincoln again finished in the play-off places and playedSouthend United in the final, again at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Neither side could manage a goal in normal time, and all three strikers had to be replaced in the second half.Derek Asamoah, who was in poor form, was brought on alongside defendersMatt Bloomer andLee Beevers. However, Southend scored twice in extra time to win.
Alexander signed a new three-year contract in May 2005. During the close season Simon Yeo, Richard Butcher and Peter Gain chose to leave the club, whilstGary Taylor-Fletcher was surprisingly released amid speculation about his conduct. Captain Paul Morgan, however, signed a new three-year deal which reportedly made him the highest paid player at the club. Lincoln lost yet again in the play-offs at the end of the2005–06 season, this time to local rivalsGrimsby Town, giving Alexander the unenviable record of being the only manager to lead a team to four consecutive play-off defeats. Shortly after this defeat, Alexander left Lincoln by mutual consent.
On 30 May 2006, Alexander was named the new manager ofPeterborough United replacingSteve Bleasdale, who had left at the end of April.[35] He cited his reason for joining Peterborough as need for a new challenge.[36] Alexander signed a four-year contract with the club. His managerial career at Peterborough got off to a fine start, recording a 4–1 win overBristol Rovers on the first day of the season,[37] as well as knocking outChampionship sideIpswich Town in theLeague Cup two weeks later.[38] Despite still sitting in 8th in the league, his contract was mutually terminated following 6 straight league defeats in January 2007.[39] During his time at Peterborough, Alexander stated that he wanted to "unearth more non-league gems",[40] and as a result signedGeorge Boyd,Aaron McLean andCraig Mackail-Smith from non-league – all of whom went on to play in the Championship.
Alexander was appointed as Bury's new director of football on 9 May 2007.[41] He was dismissed on 14 January 2008, accompanying sacked managerChris Casper.[42]
Alexander was appointed manager ofMacclesfield Town on 27 February 2008, signing a contract until the end of the season.[43] He replacedIan Brightwell who had left the club one point away from theLeague Two relegation zone.[44] His first game in-charge of Macclesfield was a 1–1 draw at home toNotts County,[45] and secured his first win as boss shortly after in a 1–0 win atDagenham & Redbridge.[46] A run of four wins and three draws in nine games took the club away from the relegation zone, and in April 2008 Alexander was awarded a new two-year contract.[47]He signed a two-year contract extension on 18 January 2010.[48]
Alexander was involved in supporting a number of charities.[49][50] InSaint Lucia, the country Alexander represented in his playing days, he established the Sacred Sports Foundation to help increase sporting opportunities for St Lucian children.[51]
Alexander, who suffered abrain aneurysm in 2003 when manager of Lincoln City, was taken to hospital before a match in March 2009 after complaining of feeling unwell but was later given a clean bill of health.[52] Alexander was reported to be feeling unwell as he returned from a game atNotts County on 2 March 2010. He was taken to Lincoln Hospital after he had collapsed, and died shortly after at the age of 53.[53][54] It was reported that Alexander had been suffering from a bout of hiccups three weeks before his death.[53] Alexander had been due to take charge of his 100th game for Macclesfield Town the following weekend.[55]
Tributes were paid to Alexander following his death.[56]Macclesfield Town chairman Mike Rance paid an emotional tribute to Alexander, stating "it was perhaps fitting that the last conversation we had was about football".[57]Lincoln City, the club that Alexander lead to four successive play-off campaigns, opened their stadium to allow fans to pay tribute to him.[58][59]Grimsby Town also had opened up the gates of their stadium to allow fans to lay flowers and memorabilia for Alexander in front of the Pontoon stand. The club also announced that they would collect money for some of Alexander's favourite charities.[60] Grimsby also wore black arm bands for Keith during their victory overShrewsbury Town.[61]Burnley managerBrian Laws said Alexander "broke the mould" for black managers.[62] A sentiment echoed byPort Vale boss,Micky Adams.[63]Paul Ince, a friend of Alexander, described him as "a figure that all managers should aspire to".[64] Northern Ireland football teamCliftonville also paid respect to Alexander, with their chairman, Gerard Lawlor, saying "I thank Keith Alexander for the great goals, the great nights and for always being a friend to our club".[65]
Macclesfield Town's first game after Alexander's death was away toHereford United, with Macclesfield players wearing special shirts with a tribute printed on the back reading "Rest in Peace Gaffer" – Macclesfield won the game 2–0. In what was an emotionally charged day, after Macclesfield scored both of their goals, all of their players pointed to the sky.[66] Throughout the game, Macclesfield fans chanted "Keith Alexander, his spirit lives on", and the players and staff at the club dedicated the win to him.[67][68][69][70] After the game,Richard Butcher, who played under Alexander forLincoln City,Peterborough United, and Macclesfield Town said "there are a few tears in that dressing room now. Today was Keith's day and we're proud that we got the win for him".[70] Macclesfield held a "Keith Alexander Day" on 13 March, the day of the Silkmen's match againstBury atMoss Rose – Macclesfield's first home game since his death. Tributes were made before the game by representatives of the six clubs Alexander had managed, and 53 doves were released. The game ended 2–0 to Macclesfield.[71][72]
Additionally, theEngland national team and theEngland under-21s wore black armbands in their respective matches againstEgypt andGreece under-21s on the day of Alexander's death as a tribute.[73][74] Black armbands were worn by clubs up and down the country the following weekend as a mark of respect.[75] Clubs across the country also held either a minute's applause or a minute's silence in respect to Alexander.[76][77]
Alexander's funeral was held atLincoln Cathedral on 15 March 2010, with thousands of people paying their respects.[78] Friends, family and football fans gave a round of applause as his coffin entered and left the church.[79] It was announced that a benefit match for Keith Alexander would take place on 3 May 2010 atSincil Bank. Players such asPaul Merson,Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, andLes Ferdinand took part in the match, with over 1,000 tickets being sold.[80][81] In October 2010, Alexander was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Black List celebratory evening atWembley Stadium, highlighting the influence ofAfrican Caribbean figures inBritish football.[82] Alexander's son, Matt, said "If he was looking down and saw the reaction that followed his death and how valuable people thought he was, he would be smiling. He would realise that all his hard work had paid off."[82]
| Team | Country | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Lincoln City |  England | 1 August 1993 | 16 May 1994 | 48 | 13 | 22 | 13 | 027.08 |
| Lincoln City | England | 5 May 2002 | 24 May 2006 | 213 | 81 | 63 | 69 | 038.03 |
| Peterborough United | England | 30 May 2006 | 15 January 2007 | 34 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 041.18 |
| Macclesfield Town | England | 27 February 2008 | 3 March 2010 | 99 | 27 | 46 | 26 | 027.27 |
| Total | 394 | 135 | 144 | 115 | 034.26 | |||
Individual
