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John Barnes and Garth Crooks lead tributes to 'trailblazer' Keith Alexander
Late Macclesfield Town boss was 'ultimate role model'
5 Mar 2010 12:00:00
By Rodney Hinds
There was a universal silence on hearing of the sad passing of Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander.
The big man of the Football League had quite simply touched the hearts and minds of everyone who'd had the privilege of meeting him. Alexander passed away after arriving home from last Tuesday night's 1-0 League Two defeat at Notts County.
The affable Alexander, along with MK Dons manager Paul Ince, was one of only two black managers working in English management throughout the 92 clubs. The word pioneer is often used but on this occasion the adjective sits comfortably on a man who quite literally had broad shoulders.
Like many great managers – Wenger, Benitez, Ferguson and Mourinho – Alexander’s own playing career was no great shakes. Alexander played as a striker for clubs including Grimsby Town and Lincoln City, and made three international appearances for St Lucia.
He entered management in 1993 with Lincoln and went on to manage Ilkeston Town, Northwich Victoria and Peterborough United before becoming Macclesfield boss in 2008. The most notable spells of Alexander's playing career were at Grimsby and Stockport County, while he also had a stint with Lincoln, where he created his own slice of history - becoming the first black professional football manager in the United Kingdom when he took charge of the Imps for the first time in 1993.
His stay lasted less than a year but, after spells with Ilkeston and Northwich, Alexander returned as director of football and assistant manager before eventually replacing Alan Buckley at the helm and becoming a fans' favourite.
Another fans’ favourite, the legend that is Liverpool's John Barnes, has fallen off the very same managerial ladder that Alexander so impressively clung onto.
Just hours after hearing of Alexander’s death, Barnes - who did not enjoy the managerial longevity at Celtic or Tranmere Rovers that Alexander was noted for - said: “I’m in shock more than anything else. Obviously when I managed Tranmere we were playing against Keith pre-season and we’ve known the [health] problems he’s had since 2003.
“He looked fined then. I sent his son Matt a message a couple of hours ago because I was shocked and saddened.
“I believe he is the ultimate role model for black managers in terms of things he’s had to put up with, the fact that he’s actually stayed in longer than most, and the integrity he showed.
“I just think he was a great, great man. He’s not a high profile manager but, in terms of the work he’s done and the things he’s achieved with his ability, dignity and integrity were fantastic.”
Alexander’s health first came to the public’s attention in November 2003 when he suffered a cerebral aneurysm and was taken to hospital for vital surgery before returning to work in February 2004. He left Lincoln by mutual consent in the 2005-06 season and had a spell in charge of Peterborough before taking the position of director of football at Bury.
He took charge of Macclesfield in February 2008, but his health recently took a turn for the worse when he was forced to miss last month's goalless draw with Accrington Stanley due to illness.
Alexander’s savvy really came to the fore when he helped Lincoln to the play-offs for four consecutive seasons between 2002 and 2006 - the only manager to achieve that feat. But he was a football man with vision. He was an assertive and positive voice for the Black Coaches Association, as he believed that black men could manage at the highest level - once given the opportunity.
Alexander told this correspondent in December 2009 just how progress for black managers and coaches should move forward. “From my point of view until we encourage black people to invest in the game we’ll see very few black managers, particularly at the highest level, and I think it’s a shame.
“It’s getting black people into the highest echelons of any environment where the jobs are sorted out and we’ve got to make sure we get a presence in the boardrooms, where I’ve got into and never seen a black face.”
Among those who reaped the benefits of Alexander’s time and words of wisdom was Chris Ramsey, Assistant Academy Manager/Head of Player Development at the Tottenham Hotspur Academy.
Ramsey said of the loss: “It’s a great tragedy. My thoughts go out to his family. It’s a big loss to football, a great loss of a pioneer and a great loss of a truly, truly great man.”
Garth Crooks, a Kick It Out ambassador, summed up Alexander’s life and career aptly when he said: “In one way or another we all live to serve, but we have lost one of our great trailblazers. He served the game, and our community, with distinction and without fuss. We’ll miss him.”
Rodney Hinds is sports editor at The Voice, Britain's leading black newspaper
The big man of the Football League had quite simply touched the hearts and minds of everyone who'd had the privilege of meeting him. Alexander passed away after arriving home from last Tuesday night's 1-0 League Two defeat at Notts County.
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The affable Alexander, along with MK Dons manager Paul Ince, was one of only two black managers working in English management throughout the 92 clubs. The word pioneer is often used but on this occasion the adjective sits comfortably on a man who quite literally had broad shoulders.
Like many great managers – Wenger, Benitez, Ferguson and Mourinho – Alexander’s own playing career was no great shakes. Alexander played as a striker for clubs including Grimsby Town and Lincoln City, and made three international appearances for St Lucia.
He entered management in 1993 with Lincoln and went on to manage Ilkeston Town, Northwich Victoria and Peterborough United before becoming Macclesfield boss in 2008. The most notable spells of Alexander's playing career were at Grimsby and Stockport County, while he also had a stint with Lincoln, where he created his own slice of history - becoming the first black professional football manager in the United Kingdom when he took charge of the Imps for the first time in 1993.
His stay lasted less than a year but, after spells with Ilkeston and Northwich, Alexander returned as director of football and assistant manager before eventually replacing Alan Buckley at the helm and becoming a fans' favourite.
Another fans’ favourite, the legend that is Liverpool's John Barnes, has fallen off the very same managerial ladder that Alexander so impressively clung onto.
Just hours after hearing of Alexander’s death, Barnes - who did not enjoy the managerial longevity at Celtic or Tranmere Rovers that Alexander was noted for - said: “I’m in shock more than anything else. Obviously when I managed Tranmere we were playing against Keith pre-season and we’ve known the [health] problems he’s had since 2003.
“He looked fined then. I sent his son Matt a message a couple of hours ago because I was shocked and saddened.
“I believe he is the ultimate role model for black managers in terms of things he’s had to put up with, the fact that he’s actually stayed in longer than most, and the integrity he showed.
“I just think he was a great, great man. He’s not a high profile manager but, in terms of the work he’s done and the things he’s achieved with his ability, dignity and integrity were fantastic.”
Alexander’s health first came to the public’s attention in November 2003 when he suffered a cerebral aneurysm and was taken to hospital for vital surgery before returning to work in February 2004. He left Lincoln by mutual consent in the 2005-06 season and had a spell in charge of Peterborough before taking the position of director of football at Bury.
He took charge of Macclesfield in February 2008, but his health recently took a turn for the worse when he was forced to miss last month's goalless draw with Accrington Stanley due to illness.
Alexander’s savvy really came to the fore when he helped Lincoln to the play-offs for four consecutive seasons between 2002 and 2006 - the only manager to achieve that feat. But he was a football man with vision. He was an assertive and positive voice for the Black Coaches Association, as he believed that black men could manage at the highest level - once given the opportunity.
Saddened | Barnes praised Alexander's integrity
Alexander told this correspondent in December 2009 just how progress for black managers and coaches should move forward. “From my point of view until we encourage black people to invest in the game we’ll see very few black managers, particularly at the highest level, and I think it’s a shame.
“It’s getting black people into the highest echelons of any environment where the jobs are sorted out and we’ve got to make sure we get a presence in the boardrooms, where I’ve got into and never seen a black face.”
Among those who reaped the benefits of Alexander’s time and words of wisdom was Chris Ramsey, Assistant Academy Manager/Head of Player Development at the Tottenham Hotspur Academy.
Ramsey said of the loss: “It’s a great tragedy. My thoughts go out to his family. It’s a big loss to football, a great loss of a pioneer and a great loss of a truly, truly great man.”
Garth Crooks, a Kick It Out ambassador, summed up Alexander’s life and career aptly when he said: “In one way or another we all live to serve, but we have lost one of our great trailblazers. He served the game, and our community, with distinction and without fuss. We’ll miss him.”
Rodney Hinds is sports editor at The Voice, Britain's leading black newspaper
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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