Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton pays tribute to role model Keith Alexander

Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton has paid tribute to Macclesfield Town boss Keith Alexander, who passed away aged 53 on Tuesday night.

The former Republic of Ireland international was a good friend of the 53-year-old and considered him a role model not only for young black players and coaches, but the whole of football.

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"There is absolutely no doubt he was a role model, certainly for young black footballers and young black coaches.

"But even more so, it is what he gave the game of football, and the majority of that was out of the limelight away from the Barclays Premier League at the real hard end of football.

"I don't know anybody that has had a bad word to say about him. I knew him quite well.

"The last time I saw him was about a month ago with his family, and the most important thing at this moment is we send our condolences and wishes to his family.

"He was a wonderful human being and will be sadly missed in football.

"Everybody had a good word to say about him. We can talk about being a role model for black players and black coaches, but the biggest influence he had was on football.

"He was a real football person who had time for anybody. He was a real worker and football today will miss somebody I think has had a big influence on the game."

Alexander was the first black manager in English football and was one of only a few working in the professional game at the time of his death.

The Magpies boss revealed he has looked up to Alexander for many years.

Hughton said: "If I look at my era, you looked at the black players who were playing then and there weren't many - Clyde Best...

"Certainly as each generation has gone, there have been role models for young black players to aspire to.

"When you look at role models, you tend to look at players who have played at the highest level, your Viv Andersons and so on.

"Keith was one who plied his trade at the real hard end of football, game after game, week after week perhaps without the best facilities, and that was testament to him.

"He conducted his life in the same way as a coach and as a manager, and he did that in a period where there aren't many black coaches and managers.

"I wouldn't be that much younger than him - I would only be three years younger than him - but he is somebody I have always looked up to because of where he was and how he worked, and also how he came across.

"I was fortunate enough to know him and see him on numerous occasions, and I always really enjoyed being in his company."

Macclesfield assistant boss Gary Simpson confirmed this weekend's Coca-Cola League Two match at Hereford will go ahead as scheduled following a consultation with Alexander's family, Macclesfield's players and officials of the Edgar Street club.

"It's exactly what the gaffer would have wanted," Simpson explained.

"Keith just loved the game and the last thing he would have wanted was to cause any fuss. He would have expected us to go Hereford and put on a show as if it was any other game.

"Of course it is going to be a tough and emotional day. And I suspect a few tears will be shed. But having spoken to his son Matt, he was adamant that his dad would have wanted the game to go ahead and it is only right that we respect his family's wishes."