The late Keith Alexander

Yeah sad had a young 2nd family. I suppose his health record indicated he wouldn't be someone who would be too interested in the news over the new Irish pension age qualification.

Came across as a top bloke and a good manager in the middle leagues did a great job at Lincoln he be missed by Macclesfield now only a few pts off relegation from the league.

Ironically it could be them or one of his old teams Grimsby that will fill that 2nd relegation position

I suppose it says it all if he even done a good job at**onville.

.........RIP

From yesterday's Guardian :

Keith Alexander was a true pioneer in the fight for racial equality. Future generations of black managers will have Keith Alexander to thank for blazing the trail.

The life of Keith Alexander, who died today, was a lesson in how to rise above adversity.

Keith Alexander, who died today, left a legacy to English football that will unquestionably prove greater than the material impact he made on our game. Keith was not just the first full-time black manager of a professional football club in England but a true pioneer who served as a mentor to countless aspiring black managers, coaches, players and referees. He was so supportive and engaging, so willing to help.

He was also a totally dedicated football man who always reminded me of David Moyes in thathe did it all the hard way, became very good at his job and always remained incredibly focused. His old players will remember his enthusiasm, energy and excellent coaching ability.

Only six weeks ago I was with Keith who I'd known well since we first met at Kick it Out events many years ago at a meeting of the Professional Footballers' Association Black Players' Forum. We were discussing progress made and areas which still needed addressing and he was in great form.

This morning I was in another PFA meeting when I heard the sad news. Everyone was totally devastated. No one could believe it. We've lost Keith at such a young age when he had so much more to give. In decades to come you could have imagined him becoming the "godfather" of black managers and coaches.

Everyone listened when Keith spoke not just because he was eloquent, logical, very intelligent and humorous but because you can't buy the sort of experience he had. He was a lesson in how to rise above adversity.

Quite apart from contending with what Keith called "the struggle" against racism in football, he had overcome serious health problems in 2003 when he suffered a brain aneurysm. It was not an easy thing to recover from and people would have understood if he had withdrawn from the anti-racism campaigning side of his life and taken it easy after that. Instead it was a measure of the man that he continued selflessly to give so much of his time and energy.

Black managers could not have a better role model. He put club chairmen and officials at their ease because he was so engaging, so normal and had such a good sense of humour. And, of course, he could really debate the laws of the game, having qualified as England's first black referee.

Keith had reason to feel bitter about the way he was sometimes treated in football, especially when he started out, but he never succumbed to bitterness and preferred to try to break down barriers with quiet dignity, character, humour and a smile.

Racism was infinitely worse when Keith began his career and he endured a tough time. But he always maintained that to overcome racist attitudes you had to make sure you were as qualified as possible and he certainly held a lot of diverse qualifications and get yourself in the system because, whether it is a football club or a local council, change usually comes from within.

Once inside the system Keith did a lot to influence chairmen and directors, a lot to dismiss the old stereotypes about black managers. At times it could be a hard struggle but he used to say: "I'm just another human being, judge me not by the colour of my skin but as a person and a football manager."

Although he was very popular with his fellow managers Keith could be quite tough with the young black players and coaches he mentored. He'd always tell them: "Never make excuses." He would remind them they had no divine right to make it in football and would say: "You've got to work hard and be as qualified as possible."

Personally, Keith never made excuses and worked incredibly hard. In years to come his achievement in being appointed the first full-time black professional manager in England will be seen as as big a landmark as Viv Anderson becoming the first black player to represent England and Paul Ince becoming the first black player to captain the country.

He has done an awful lot to change attitudes to black managers within our game. There is still a long way to go but Keith was the pioneer. Future generations will have much to thank him for.

THEYVE ASKED HIS FAMILY IF THEY WANT THE GAME V HEREFORD SATURDAY TO GO AHEAD!
RIP - TOP BLOKE