Keith Alexander (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Keith Alexander was a Saint Lucia
n footballer and manager
. Born in Nottingham
, England
, he was the manager of League Two
side Macclesfield Town
at the time of his death, in a career that included international appearances for Saint Lucia
. Alexander played for a whole host of lower league football teams. His main success, however, came from football management – managing in both non-league
and the Football League. He took League Two
side Lincoln City
to four consecutive play offs, taking them to two finals at the Millennium Stadium
. His eldest son, Matt is a FIFA licensed Football agent and works with many top flight players.
He was the first full-time black professional manager in the Football League, and is considered by many to be a pioneer of the modern game.
as a nineteen year-old. He spent the 1977–78 season with Ilkeston Town
, debuting in the home game with Louth 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 with Sutton Town
on 5 April 1978.
In March 1979, Alexander joined Stamford from Alfreton Town
and scored the first goal in the club's 2–0 FA Vase
final win over Guisborough Town
in April 1980 as the side won the unique treble of United Counties League Championship, League Cup and FA Vase during the 1979–80 season. Leaving at the end of the season, Alexander enjoyed spells with Boston United
and King's Lynn
before returning to Stamford for the 1981–82 season being part of a side which completed a United Counties League double. In total he made 94 appearances for the Daniels, scoring 24 goals. After a short spell at Corby Town
, which witnessed Alexander score one goal in two games, he joined Spalding United
where he scored 18 goals in the Northern Counties East Football League
during his solitary season at the club in 1982–83.
He went on to have brief spells at Boston Town
, Grantham Town
, and King's Lynn
in 1983, before joining Kettering Town
just before the start of the 1983–84 season; where he spent two seasons and played 74 games for the Northamptonshire
side, scoring 11 times. During his time at Kettering, Alexander had a brief, but successful, loan spell at Wisbech Town
, and was instrumental in the club's FA Vase
run that year - scoring a hat-trick against Harwich & Parkeston
in a 5–0 win on his debut, followed by a goal in the semi-final against Southall
. In the summer of 1986, Barry Fry
secured the signing of Alexander at Barnet
, who were playing in the Football 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.
. He earned his move from non-league to the Football League when then-Grimsby manager Alan Buckley
saw Alexander playing for Barnet
, and subsequently signed him for £11,500. He made his Grimsby debut against Torquay 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 against FA Cup
holders Wimbledon
at Plough Lane
. 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 over Southend United
. He then joined Stockport County
, before temporarily ending his playing career with Lincoln City
after the 1992–93 season.
After a short spell as Lincoln City manager, he played a couple more games for Mansfield Town
, before joining Northern Ireland
outfit Cliftonville
on loan. During his brief spell at Cliftonville during the 1994–95 season, Alexander scored on his debut in a 4–3 victory over Portadown
, as well as netting a further goal against Glentoran
. He also scored twice for Cliftonville as they eliminated Linfield
in the League Cup quarter final at Windsor Park
. 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 against Exeter City
in January 1996. It was to signal the end of Alexander's playing days, as he broke his leg in injury-time. He did, however, remain registered as a player in the first season of managing Ilkeston Town
, although he did not make any first-team appearances.
in 1980 with Stamford
, scoring one of the goals in a 2–0 win at Wembley. While he was playing for Grimsby Town
, Alexander played international football for St. Lucia
, earning three international caps in 1990. Alexander also became Mansfield Town
's oldest ever goal scorer when he came off the bench to score twice against Crewe Alexandra
at the age of 37.
, during which time he developed the likes of Darren Huckerby
and Matt Carbon
. At the end of the 1992–1993 season, Lincoln's chairman John Reames
announced that Steve Thompson's contract as first team manger would not be renewed and Alexander was placed in caretaker charge, steering the Imps to a 2–0 home victory over Darlington
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 the
Football League; Edwin Stein had earlier been in temporary charge at Barnet
. He lasted only a season in charge before Sam Ellis
succeeded him in the hot seat.
during 1995–2000 and Northwich Victoria
during 2000–01. During his time at Ilkeston, Alexander ensured the club's highest ever league placing, as well as two FA Cup
runs that witnessed the side beat league opposition in the form of Boston United
and Carlisle United
. He is believed to be "the most successful manager in Ilkeston Town's history". He subsequently took charge of Northwich Victoria
during the 2000-01
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 an FA Cup
run during the same season, which witnessed them hold Leyton Orient
3–3 in the second round.
as Director of Coaching on a three year contract. He was tasked with ensuring the continuity of coaching and football from the Centre of Excellence through youth to the first team and acting as Assistant Manager
to Alan Buckley
, his former Grimsby Town
manager. With Lincoln entering administration at the end of the 2001–02 season, Buckley was relieved of his duties as manager on financial grounds and Alexander placed in charge of all football matters.
, Grant Brown
, David Cameron
, Steve Holmes
and Justin Walker
– released at the end of their contracts with a sixth, Lee Thorpe
, departing for Leyton Orient
. A hectic day finished with confirmation of Alexander's official appointment as team manager. Three other senior players, Tony Battersby
, Kingsley Black
, and Ian Hamilton
, would later leave the club by mutual consent as their contracts, including appearance money, had made them too expensive for Alexander's plans.
Remaining at the club were former Tottenham Hotspur
youngsters Alan Marriott
and Peter Gain
, Northern Ireland B international centre-back Paul Morgan
along with midfielders Adam Buckley
, Mark Camm
and Ben Sedgemore
and wing-backs Mark Bailey
and Stuart Bimson
and Alexander complemented their talents with a series of signings from outside of the Football League. After just one week in the job, Alexander completed his first two signings bringing Ben Futcher
and Dene Cropper
to the club on initial one year contracts. One week later, Alexander made a second double swoop with Simon Weaver
and Simon Yeo
joining the ranks.
Alexander oversaw an upturn in fortunes at the club, who were now owned by their Supporters' 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 the Second Division
. However, Lincoln were defeated by Bournemouth
in the play-off final at the Millennium 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 the 2002–03
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'.
. Alexander had been accompanied by his assistant Gary 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 the Royal 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. Veteran Stuart Bimson
had moved on, to Cambridge United
, and youngster Paul Mayo
was sold to Watford for an initial £75,000, but the acquisitions of Jamie McCombe
, Marcus Richardson
, Gary Taylor-Fletcher
, Francis Green and loanee Kevin Ellison
meant that they finished in the play-off places. Lincoln were beaten by Huddersfield Town
in the semi-finals.
In the close season Alexander purchased Gareth McAuley
and Ciaran 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 played Southend 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 defenders Matt Bloomer and Lee 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, whilst Gary 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 the 2005–06 season, this time to local rivals Grimsby 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.
replacing Steve Bleasdale
, who had left at the end of April. He cited his reason for joining Peterborough as need for a new challenge. Alexander signed a 4 year contract with the club. Alexander's managerial career at Peterborough got off to a fine start, recording a 4–1 win over Bristol Rovers
on the first day of the season, as well as knocking out Championship
side Ipswich Town
in the League Cup
two weeks later. Despite still sitting in 8th in the league, his contract was mutually terminated following 6 straight league defeats in January 2007. During his time at Peterborough, Alexander stated that he wanted to "unearth more non-league gems", and as a result signed George Boyd
, Aaron McLean
and Craig Mackail-Smith
from non-league - all of which have been hugely successful and now ply their trade in the Championship.
.
on 27 February 2008, signing a contract until the end of the season. He replaced Ian Brightwell
who had left the club one point away from the League Two
relegation zone. His first game in-charge of Macclesfield was a 1–1 draw at home to Notts County
, and secured his first win as boss shortly after in a 1–0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge
. 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.
He signed a two-year contract extension on 18 January 2010.
, the country Alexander represented in his playing days, he established the Sacred Sports Foundation to help increase sporting opportunities for St Lucian children.
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. Alexander was reported to be feeling unwell as he returned from a game at Notts County
on 2 March 2010. He was taken to Lincoln Hospital after he had collapsed, and died shortly after. It was reported that Alexander had been suffering from a bout of hiccups three weeks before his death. Alexander had been due to take charge of his 100th game for Macclesfield Town the following weekend.
Tributes were paid to Alexander from all corners of the country following his death. 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". Lincoln City
, the club that Alexander lead to four successive play-off campaigns, opened their stadium to allow fans to pay tribute to Alexander. 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 are beginning to collect money for some of Alexander's favourite charities. Grimsby also wore black arm bands for Keith during their victory over Shrewsbury Town
. Burnley
manager Brian Laws
said the former Lincoln boss "broke the mould" for black managers. A sentiment echoed by Port Vale
boss, Micky Adams
. Paul Ince
, a friend of Alexander, described Alexander as "a figure that all managers should aspire to". Northern Ireland
football team Cliftonville
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".
Macclesfield Town
's first game after Alexander's death was away to Hereford 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 in remembrance of Alexander. Throughout the game, Macclesfield fans chanted "Keith Alexander, his spirit lives on". Players and staff at the club dedicated the win to Alexander. After the game, Richard Butcher, who played under Alexander for Lincoln 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". Macclesfield held a 'Keith Alexander Day' on 13 March, the day of the Silkmen's match against Bury
at Moss 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.
Additionally, the England national team
and the England under-21s
wore black armbands in their respective matches against Egypt and Greece under-21s on the day of Alexander's death as a tribute. Black armbands were worn by clubs up and down the country the following weekend as a mark of respect. Clubs across the country also held either a minute's applause or a minute's silence in respect to Alexander.
On 15 March 2010, the funeral of Keith Alexander took place at Lincoln Cathedral
, with thousands of people paying their respects. Friends, family and football fans gave a round of applause as his coffin entered and left the church. It was announced that a benefit match for Keith Alexander would take place on 3 May 2010 at Sincil Bank
, as a tribute to the ex-Imps chief. Players such as Paul Merson
, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
, and Les Ferdinand
took part in the match, with over a 1,000 tickets being sold. In October 2010, Alexander was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Black List celebratory evening at Wembley
, highlighting the influence of African Caribbean
figures in British football
. 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."
Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia is an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located north/northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. It covers a land area of 620 km2 and has an...
n footballer and manager
Manager (association football)
In association football, a manager is responsible for running a football club or a national team. The manager of a professional club is responsible directly to the club president. The position of manager is almost exclusively used in British football...
. Born in Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, he was the manager of League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
at the time of his death, in a career that included international appearances for Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia national football team
The Saint Lucia national football team is the national association football team of Saint Lucia and it represents that country in international football matches. It is controlled by the St...
. Alexander played for a whole host of lower league football teams. His main success, however, came from football management – managing in both non-league
Non-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
and the Football League. He took League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
to four consecutive play offs, taking them to two finals at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
. His eldest son, Matt is a FIFA licensed Football agent and works with many top flight players.
He was the first full-time black professional manager in the Football League, and is considered by many to be a pioneer of the modern game.
Non-league career
Alexander began his career in non-league football, joining Arnold TownArnold Town F.C.
Arnold Town F.C. is a football club based in Arnold, a suburb of Nottingham, England.It was formed in 1989 following a merger between Arnold F.C. and Arnold Kingswell F.C. It reached the 5th round of the FA Vase in the season 2001-02 and again in 2005-06.The club plays in the Northern Counties East...
as a nineteen year-old. He spent the 1977–78 season with Ilkeston Town
Ilkeston Town F.C.
Ilkeston Football Club is an English football club based at the New Manor Ground in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.-History:The club was established in 1894 as Ilkeston Town F.C.....
, debuting in the home game with Louth United
Louth United F.C.
Louth United F.C. are now defunct having run into severe financial difficulties. Louth Town FC have taken over the running of all junior sides and no senior terams now exist in the name of Louth 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 with Sutton Town
Sutton Town F.C.
Sutton Town A.F.C. is a football club based in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, England. The current incarnation of the club was formed in August 2007, to replace an older club, previously known as North Notts F.C., who disbanded...
on 5 April 1978.
In March 1979, Alexander joined Stamford from Alfreton Town
Alfreton Town F.C.
Alfreton Town F.C. is an English football club based in Alfreton, Derbyshire. The club was reformed after a merger between Alfreton Miners Welfare and Alfreton United in 1959...
and scored the first goal in the club's 2–0 FA Vase
FA Vase
The Football Association Challenge Vase is an annual football competition for teams playing below Step 4 of the English National League System...
final win over Guisborough Town
Guisborough Town F.C.
Guisborough Town F.C. are an English football club based in Guisborough, Redcar and Cleveland. They were founded in 1973 and currently play in the Northern League Division One. Their home ground is the in Guisborough....
in April 1980 as the side won the unique treble of United Counties League Championship, League Cup and FA Vase during the 1979–80 season. Leaving at the end of the season, Alexander enjoyed spells with Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
and King's Lynn
King's Lynn F.C.
King's Lynn F.C. was an English football club based in King's Lynn, Norfolk. Established in 1879, they were wound up at the High Court on 25 November 2009 with debts of £77,000 and went out of business in December after a failed appeal...
before returning to Stamford for the 1981–82 season being part of a side which completed a United Counties League double. In total he made 94 appearances for the Daniels, scoring 24 goals. After a short spell at Corby Town
Corby Town F.C.
Corby Town F.C. is an English football club based in Corby, Northamptonshire. They will be members of the Conference North for the 2011–12 season. The Steelmen play their home games at the newly built Steel Park, adjacent to their previous ground, Rockingham Triangle Sports Stadium, which is...
, which witnessed Alexander score one goal in two games, he joined Spalding United
Spalding United F.C.
Spalding United F.C. is an English football club based in Spalding, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of Division One of the United Counties League and play at Sir Halley Stewart Field.-History:...
where he scored 18 goals in the Northern Counties East Football League
Northern Counties East Football League
The Northern Counties East Football League is an English football league that was founded in 1982 by the merger of the former Yorkshire League and Midland League. The league has two divisions at present; The Premier Division and Division One which stand at the ninth and tenth levels of the football...
during his solitary season at the club in 1982–83.
He went on to have brief spells at Boston Town
Boston Town F.C.
Boston Town F.C. is an English football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the United Counties League Premier Division and play at Tattershall Road.-History:...
, Grantham Town
Grantham Town F.C.
Grantham Town F.C. is a football club, based in Grantham, Lincolnshire, currently playing in the Northern Premier League Division One South. They are nicknamed The Gingerbreads and they play their home matches at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium . They were established in August 1874...
, and King's Lynn
King's Lynn F.C.
King's Lynn F.C. was an English football club based in King's Lynn, Norfolk. Established in 1879, they were wound up at the High Court on 25 November 2009 with debts of £77,000 and went out of business in December after a failed appeal...
in 1983, before joining Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
just before the start of the 1983–84 season; where he spent two seasons and played 74 games for the Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
side, scoring 11 times. During his time at Kettering, Alexander had a brief, but successful, loan spell at Wisbech Town
Wisbech Town F.C.
Wisbech Town F.C. is an English football club currently based in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at the Fenland Stadium.-History:...
, and was instrumental in the club's FA Vase
FA Vase
The Football Association Challenge Vase is an annual football competition for teams playing below Step 4 of the English National League System...
run that year - scoring a hat-trick against Harwich & Parkeston
Harwich & Parkeston F.C.
Harwich & Parkeston F.C. is an English football club based in Harwich, Essex. The club are currently members of the Essex & Suffolk Border League and play at the Royal Oak ground.-History:...
in a 5–0 win on his debut, followed by a goal in the semi-final against Southall
Southall F.C.
Southall F.C. is a semi-professional football club based in the Southall area of west London, in the London Borough of Ealing, England. Football has been played in Southall from at least 1871.-History:...
. In the summer of 1986, Barry Fry
Barry Fry
Barry Francis Fry is an English football manager. A former Manchester United apprentice as a winger, his playing career involved brief spells with Bolton Wanderers, Luton Town and Leyton Orient, before he retired prematurely due to injury.He has managed Dunstable Town, Bedford Town, Maidstone...
secured the signing of Alexander at Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
, who were playing in the Football Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
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.
League career
After a lengthy career in non-league, Alexander also spent a decent chunk of his career playing league football, most notably for Grimsby TownGrimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
. He earned his move from non-league to the Football League when then-Grimsby manager Alan Buckley
Alan Buckley
Alan Peter Buckley is an English football manager. He was manager of League Two side Grimsby Town until his dismissal in September 2008...
saw Alexander playing for Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
, and subsequently signed him for £11,500. He made his Grimsby debut against Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
in September 1988, and went on to score 14 league goals in 44 games during the club's 1988–89 campaign; including a goal against FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
holders Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
at Plough Lane
Plough Lane
Plough Lane was a football stadium in Wimbledon, south west London. It was the home ground of Wimbledon Football Club from September 1912 to May 1991, when the club moved their first team home matches to Selhurst Park as part of a groundshare agreement with Crystal Palace. Both clubs' reserve teams...
. 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 over Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
. He then joined Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
, before temporarily ending his playing career with Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
after the 1992–93 season.
After a short spell as Lincoln City manager, he played a couple more games for Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
, before joining Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
outfit Cliftonville
Cliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Founded on 20 September 1879 by John McCredy McAlery in the suburb of Cliftonville in north Belfast, it is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 130th...
on loan. During his brief spell at Cliftonville during the 1994–95 season, Alexander scored on his debut in a 4–3 victory over Portadown
Portadown F.C.
Portadown F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club which plays in the IFA Premiership.The club was founded in the late 1880s and joined the Irish League in 1924. It is based in Portadown in County Armagh and plays its home games at Shamrock Park...
, as well as netting a further goal against Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
. He also scored twice for Cliftonville as they eliminated Linfield
Linfield F.C.
Linfield F.C. , is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, whose home ground is Windsor Park in Belfast, which is also the home of the Northern Ireland international team....
in the League Cup quarter final at Windsor Park
Windsor Park
Windsor Park is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the home ground of Linfield F.C. and the Northern Ireland national football team. It is also where the Irish Cup and Irish League Cup finals are played.-History:...
. 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 against Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
in January 1996. It was to signal the end of Alexander's playing days, as he broke his leg in injury-time. He did, however, remain registered as a player in the first season of managing Ilkeston Town
Ilkeston Town F.C.
Ilkeston Football Club is an English football club based at the New Manor Ground in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.-History:The club was established in 1894 as Ilkeston Town F.C.....
, although he did not make any first-team appearances.
Honours
Alexander won the FA VaseFA Vase
The Football Association Challenge Vase is an annual football competition for teams playing below Step 4 of the English National League System...
in 1980 with Stamford
Stamford F.C.
Stamford A.F.C. is an English football club based in Stamford, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of Division One South of the Northern Premier League and play at the Vic Couzens Stadium...
, scoring one of the goals in a 2–0 win at Wembley. While he was playing for Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, Alexander played international football for St. Lucia
Saint Lucia national football team
The Saint Lucia national football team is the national association football team of Saint Lucia and it represents that country in international football matches. It is controlled by the St...
, earning three international caps in 1990. Alexander also became Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
's oldest ever goal scorer when he came off the bench to score twice against Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
at the age of 37.
First spell with Lincoln City
With his playing career winding down, Alexander was appointed youth team coach for Lincoln CityLincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
, during which time he developed the likes of Darren Huckerby
Darren Huckerby
Darren Huckerby is a former English footballer who played as a forward.-Early career:Huckerby was born in Nottingham, England. His mother is of partial Georgian descent. Huckerby started playing professionally for Lincoln City, before signing for Newcastle United in a £400,000 deal in 1995...
and Matt Carbon
Matt Carbon
Matt Carbon is an English soccer player who plays at centre back. Until the end of the 2007–08 season, he played for . Prior to that, he played for the New Zealand Knights in the Hyundai A-League in Australia...
. At the end of the 1992–1993 season, Lincoln's chairman John Reames
John Reames
Keith John Reames was an English football manager and administrator who was chairman of Lincoln City from 1985 to 2000...
announced that Steve Thompson's contract as first team manger would not be renewed and Alexander was placed in caretaker charge, steering the Imps to a 2–0 home victory over Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
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 the
Football League; Edwin Stein had earlier been in temporary charge at Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
. He lasted only a season in charge before Sam Ellis
Sam Ellis
Samuel "Sam" Ellis is an English football coach and former player. He left his post as assistant manager of on December 30, 2010.-Career:...
succeeded him in the hot seat.
Lower league management
For the best part of a decade, Alexander then managed two semi-professional teams, Ilkeston TownIlkeston Town F.C.
Ilkeston Football Club is an English football club based at the New Manor Ground in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.-History:The club was established in 1894 as Ilkeston Town F.C.....
during 1995–2000 and Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
during 2000–01. During his time at Ilkeston, Alexander ensured the club's highest ever league placing, as well as two FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
runs that witnessed the side beat league opposition in the form of Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
and Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
. He is believed to be "the most successful manager in Ilkeston Town's history". He subsequently took charge of Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
during the 2000-01
2000-01 in English football
The 2000–01 season was the 121st season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Manchester United secured their 3rd Premiership title in succession and their 7th title in just nine seasons...
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 an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
run during the same season, which witnessed them hold Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
3–3 in the second round.
Return to Lincoln City
On 11 July 2001, Alexander returned to Sincil BankSincil Bank
Sincil Bank is a football stadium in Lincoln, England and has been the home of Lincoln City since 1895. Previously, Lincoln City had played at the nearby John O'Gaunts ground since the club's 1884 inception. Sincil Bank has an overall capacity of 10,120 and is colloquially known to fans as "The...
as Director of Coaching on a three year contract. He was tasked with ensuring the continuity of coaching and football from the Centre of Excellence through youth to the first team and acting as Assistant Manager
Assistant Manager
An assistant manager is an employee of an organization with manager's authority. Examples of this position can be found in retail and other service businesses where the need to have more than one member of daily operations management is important....
to Alan Buckley
Alan Buckley
Alan Peter Buckley is an English football manager. He was manager of League Two side Grimsby Town until his dismissal in September 2008...
, his former Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
manager. With Lincoln entering administration at the end of the 2001–02 season, Buckley was relieved of his duties as manager on financial grounds and Alexander placed in charge of all football matters.
2002–03 season
On 3 May 2002 Lincoln successfully petitioned to go into administration but the financial crisis would leave the first team squad bereft of players as the day saw five senior players – Jason BarnettJason Barnett (footballer)
Jason Barnett is a retired English footballer who was active from between 1994 and 2006.-Career:Barnett was a product of the youth team of Wolverhampton Wanderers but after being promoted to the first team squad at the beginning of the 1994-1995 campaign, he was released at the end of the season...
, Grant Brown
Grant Brown
Grant Ashley Brown is an English former footballer. He is Head of Youth at Lincoln City.-Playing career:After beginning his professional career with Leicester City in 1988, he made 14 appearances for the Foxes before then Lincoln City manager Colin Murphy persuaded him to join the team at Sincil...
, David Cameron
Dave Cameron (footballer)
David Cameron is a football player and manager. He is a coach at Droylsden Football Club-Early career:Cameron began his career with local side Dunipace Juniors before moving to Falkirk. In the summer of 1995, he linked up with East Stirlingshire spending a season there before joining the Argyll...
, Steve Holmes
Steve Holmes (footballer)
Steven Peter Holmes is a retired English footballer. He played as a defender in the Football League for Preston North End, Hartlepool United and Lincoln City where, in 2007, he was voted number 37 in their 100 League Legends....
and Justin Walker
Justin Walker (footballer)
Justin Walker is a former professional footballer who has made more than 300 Football League appearances for six different clubs from 1997 to 2006 as a midfielder. He is now playing non-league football for F.C...
– released at the end of their contracts with a sixth, Lee Thorpe
Lee Thorpe
Lee Anthony Thorpe is an English professional footballer who played more than 400 games in the Football League and currently plays for A.F.C. Fylde-Career:...
, departing for Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
. A hectic day finished with confirmation of Alexander's official appointment as team manager. Three other senior players, Tony Battersby
Tony Battersby
Tony Battersby is a footballer who plays as a striker for Grantham Town. Battersby is one of football's journeymen and has played for many clubs both The Football League and non-League....
, Kingsley Black
Kingsley Black
Kingsley Black is an English-born Northern Ireland former professional footballer. He notably played for Luton Town, Nottingham Forest and Grimsby Town...
, and Ian Hamilton
Ian Hamilton (footballer born 1967)
Ian Richard Hamilton is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League as a midfielder between 1988 and 2002...
, would later leave the club by mutual consent as their contracts, including appearance money, had made them too expensive for Alexander's plans.
Remaining at the club were former Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
youngsters Alan Marriott
Alan Marriott
Alan Marriott is an English footballer, currently playing for Mansfield Town-Early career:Marriott began his career at Tottenham Hotspur, signing a professional contract in the summer of 1997 following the completion of his two-year youth training scheme.Released by Spurs at the completion of the...
and Peter Gain
Peter Gain
Peter Thomas Gain is an English-born Irish footballer for League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge. He has previously played for Lincoln City, Tottenham Hotspur and Peterborough United....
, Northern Ireland B international centre-back Paul Morgan
Paul Morgan (footballer)
Paul Mark Thomas Morgan is a Northern Irish footballer who currently plays as a defender for Macclesfield Town.-Preston North End:...
along with midfielders Adam Buckley
Adam Buckley
Adam Christian Buckley is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder at a semi-professional level for Sleaford Town....
, Mark Camm
Mark Camm
Mark Liam Camm is an English footballer who plays for Belper Town. Camm featured as a professional in the Football League for Lincoln City, having also been contracted to Sheffield United without featuring.-Career:...
and Ben Sedgemore
Ben Sedgemore
Benjamin Redwood Sedgemore is a retired English footballer. His brother Jake Sedgemore is also a footballer.-Career:...
and wing-backs Mark Bailey
Mark Bailey (footballer)
Mark Bailey is a former professional football defender who played in the Football League for Rochdale, Lincoln City and Macclesfield Town. He is the son of the former Port Vale player Terry Bailey.-Early career:...
and Stuart Bimson
Stuart Bimson
Stuart James Bimson is a former English footballer who is currently acting assistant manager at Altrincham. He played in the Football League as a defender for Bury, Lincoln City and Cambridge United making a total of 254 appearances, scoring four goals.-Southport:Bimson began his career with...
and Alexander complemented their talents with a series of signings from outside of the Football League. After just one week in the job, Alexander completed his first two signings bringing Ben Futcher
Ben Futcher
Benjamin Paul "Ben" Futcher is an English professional footballer currently playing for Mansfield Town on loan from Bury. He notably played for Lincoln City between 2002 and 2005 where he played in two play-off finals...
and Dene Cropper
Dene Cropper
Dene Cropper is a former professional footballer who now competes in the semi-professional game.Career...
to the club on initial one year contracts. One week later, Alexander made a second double swoop with Simon Weaver
Simon Weaver
Simon Daniel Weaver is an English footballer and manager who is currently player-manager at Harrogate Town.-Career:Born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Weaver plays as a central defender and began his career as an apprentice with Sheffield Wednesday and made his professional debut during a loan...
and Simon Yeo
Simon Yeo
Simon John Yeo is a former English footballer.-Army career:After leaving school, Yeo began a two-year YTS as a carpet fitter before, in May 1992, joining the army with the 22nd Regiment...
joining the ranks.
Alexander oversaw an upturn in fortunes at the club, who were now owned by their Supporters' Trust
Supporters' trust
In British sports, a supporters' trust is a formal, democratic and not-for-profit organisation of fans who attempt to strengthen the influence of supporters over the running of the club they support...
. 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 the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
. However, Lincoln were defeated by Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
in the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
, Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. 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 the 2002–03
2002-03 in English football
The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...
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'.
2003–04 season
The 2003–04 season began poorly, and in November 2003 Alexander suffered a cerebral aneurysmCerebral aneurysm
A cerebral or brain aneurysm is a cerebrovascular disorder in which weakness in the wall of a cerebral artery or vein causes a localized dilation or ballooning of the blood vessel.- Signs and symptoms :...
. Alexander had been accompanied by his assistant Gary Simpson
Gary Simpson (footballer born 1961)
Gary Simpson is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for Boston United and Altrincham amongst other clubs and is currently manager at Macclesfield Town...
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 the Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
The Royal Hallamshire Hospital is a general and teaching hospital located in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. It is in the city's West End, facing Glossop Road and close to the main campus of University of Sheffield and the Collegiate Crescent campus of Sheffield Hallam University...
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. Veteran Stuart Bimson
Stuart Bimson
Stuart James Bimson is a former English footballer who is currently acting assistant manager at Altrincham. He played in the Football League as a defender for Bury, Lincoln City and Cambridge United making a total of 254 appearances, scoring four goals.-Southport:Bimson began his career with...
had moved on, to Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
, and youngster Paul Mayo
Paul Mayo
Paul Mayo is an English footballer, who currently plays for Corby Town. His preferred positions are left-sided full-back role or left wing-back and notably played for his home town team Lincoln City, having two separate spells at the club but despite being a relative success his professional...
was sold to Watford for an initial £75,000, but the acquisitions of Jamie McCombe
Jamie McCombe
Jamie Paul McCombe is an English football defender who currently plays for Huddersfield Town in Football League One, although as of 24 November 2011, he is on loan at fellow League One side Preston North End....
, Marcus Richardson
Marcus Richardson
Marcus Glenroy Richardson is an English footballer who currently plays for Reading Town. He is a forward who usually plays in the target man role, and is much-travelled, having continually changed clubs in recent years.-Football career:Richardson began his career in non-league football...
, Gary Taylor-Fletcher
Gary Taylor-Fletcher
Gary Taylor-Fletcher is an English footballer. He plays for Blackpool and is a midfielder who can also play as a forward...
, Francis Green and loanee Kevin Ellison
Kevin Ellison (footballer)
Kevin Ellison is an English professional footballer who plays for Morecambe, as a winger.-Football career:Born in Liverpool, Ellison started his career in non-league football, playing for Southport, Chorley, Conwy United and Altrincham. In February 2001 he joined Leicester City for a £50,000 fee....
meant that they finished in the play-off places. Lincoln were beaten by Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
in the semi-finals.
In the close season Alexander purchased Gareth McAuley
Gareth McAuley
Gareth Gerald McAuley is a Northern Ireland footballer who plays for West Bromwich Albion as a defender.-Early career:...
and Ciaran Toner
Ciarán Toner
Ciarán Toner is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays for Conference North side Guiseley. He has represented Tottenham Hotspur, Peterborough United, Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient, Lincoln City, Cambridge United, Grimsby Town, Rochdale and Harrogate Town...
. 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 played Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
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
Derek Asamoah
Derek Asamoah is a Ghanaian professional footballer, who currently plays as a forward for K-League club Pohang Steelers in South Korea and the Ghana national team.Asamoah is a forward, known for his pace and dribbling ability...
, who was in poor form, was brought on alongside defenders Matt Bloomer and Lee Beevers
Lee Beevers
Lee Beevers is a Wales Under-21 international footballer, currently playing for Walsall following spells with Ipswich Town, Boston United, Lincoln City and Colchester United.-Ipswich Town:...
. 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, whilst Gary Taylor-Fletcher
Gary Taylor-Fletcher
Gary Taylor-Fletcher is an English footballer. He plays for Blackpool and is a midfielder who can also play as a forward...
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 the 2005–06 season, this time to local rivals Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby 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.
Peterborough United
On 30 May 2006, Alexander was named the new manager of Peterborough UnitedPeterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
replacing Steve Bleasdale
Steve Bleasdale
Steve Bleasdale is a Liverpool-born football coach. He has managed Bangor City, Leigh Genesis and Football League side Peterborough United and twice been assistant manager at Chester City.-Early years:...
, who had left at the end of April. He cited his reason for joining Peterborough as need for a new challenge. Alexander signed a 4 year contract with the club. Alexander's managerial career at Peterborough got off to a fine start, recording a 4–1 win over Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
on the first day of the season, as well as knocking out Championship
Championship
Championship is a term used in sport to refer to various forms of competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion.- Title match system :...
side Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
in the League Cup
League Cup
In association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish...
two weeks later. Despite still sitting in 8th in the league, his contract was mutually terminated following 6 straight league defeats in January 2007. During his time at Peterborough, Alexander stated that he wanted to "unearth more non-league gems", and as a result signed George Boyd
George Boyd (footballer)
George Ian Boyd is a footballer who plays for Peterborough United as a winger.Boyd started his career in the Charlton Athletic youth system, joining Stevenage Borough of the Conference National in 2001 and making his first-team debut in 2002. Boyd spent five seasons at Stevenage, scoring over...
, Aaron McLean
Aaron McLean
Aaron McLean is an English footballer who plays for Hull City as a striker.-Early career:Born in Hammersmith, London, McLean attended Robert Clack School in Dagenham. He has played for Leyton Orient and Aldershot Town....
and Craig Mackail-Smith
Craig Mackail-Smith
Craig Anthony Robert Mackail-Smith is a footballer who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion as a striker. He has also played for England C and at full international level for Scotland...
from non-league - all of which have been hugely successful and now ply their trade in the Championship.
Director of football at Bury
Alexander was appointed as Bury's new director of football on 9 May 2007. He was dismissed on 14 January 2008, accompanying sacked manager Chris CasperChris Casper
Christopher Martin "Chris" Casper is an English former footballer and football manager who played in the Premier League for Manchester United and in the Football League for A.F.C. Bournemouth, Swindon Town and Reading...
.
Macclesfield Town
Alexander was appointed manager of Macclesfield TownMacclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
on 27 February 2008, signing a contract until the end of the season. He replaced Ian Brightwell
Ian Brightwell
Ian Robert Brightwell is an English former footballer, he played for six clubs, most notably spending twelve years with Manchester City...
who had left the club one point away from the League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
relegation zone. His first game in-charge of Macclesfield was a 1–1 draw at home to Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
, and secured his first win as boss shortly after in a 1–0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
. 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.
He signed a two-year contract extension on 18 January 2010.
Charitable work
Alexander was involved in supporting a number of charities. In Saint LuciaSaint Lucia
Saint Lucia is an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located north/northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. It covers a land area of 620 km2 and has an...
, the country Alexander represented in his playing days, he established the Sacred Sports Foundation to help increase sporting opportunities for St Lucian children.
Death
Alexander, who suffered a brain aneurysmCerebral aneurysm
A cerebral or brain aneurysm is a cerebrovascular disorder in which weakness in the wall of a cerebral artery or vein causes a localized dilation or ballooning of the blood vessel.- Signs and symptoms :...
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. Alexander was reported to be feeling unwell as he returned from a game at Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
on 2 March 2010. He was taken to Lincoln Hospital after he had collapsed, and died shortly after. It was reported that Alexander had been suffering from a bout of hiccups three weeks before his death. Alexander had been due to take charge of his 100th game for Macclesfield Town the following weekend.
Tributes were paid to Alexander from all corners of the country following his death. Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
chairman, Mike Rance, paid an emotional tribute to Alexander, stating "it was perhaps fitting that the last conversation we had was about football". Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
, the club that Alexander lead to four successive play-off campaigns, opened their stadium to allow fans to pay tribute to Alexander. Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became 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 are beginning to collect money for some of Alexander's favourite charities. Grimsby also wore black arm bands for Keith during their victory over Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
. Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
manager Brian Laws
Brian Laws
Brian Laws is an English former footballer and manager, most recently of Burnley.Playing as a defender, Laws made over 100 appearances for each of Burnley, Middlesbrough, and Nottingham Forest. In 1994, Laws became player-manager of Grimsby Town before taking a similar position with Scunthorpe...
said the former Lincoln boss "broke the mould" for black managers. A sentiment echoed by Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
boss, Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
. Paul Ince
Paul Ince
Paul Emerson Carlyle Ince is an English football manager and a former professional player. He has managed Blackburn Rovers, Milton Keynes Dons and Macclesfield Town...
, a friend of Alexander, described Alexander as "a figure that all managers should aspire to". Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
football team Cliftonville
Cliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Founded on 20 September 1879 by John McCredy McAlery in the suburb of Cliftonville in north Belfast, it is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 130th...
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".
Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
's first game after Alexander's death was away to Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
, 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 in remembrance of Alexander. Throughout the game, Macclesfield fans chanted "Keith Alexander, his spirit lives on". Players and staff at the club dedicated the win to Alexander. After the game, Richard Butcher, who played under Alexander for Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
, Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, 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". Macclesfield held a 'Keith Alexander Day' on 13 March, the day of the Silkmen's match against Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
at Moss Rose
Moss Rose
Moss Rose is a multi-purpose stadium in Macclesfield, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Macclesfield Town F.C....
- 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.
Additionally, the England national team
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
and the England under-21s
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
wore black armbands in their respective matches against Egypt and Greece under-21s on the day of Alexander's death as a tribute. Black armbands were worn by clubs up and down the country the following weekend as a mark of respect. Clubs across the country also held either a minute's applause or a minute's silence in respect to Alexander.
On 15 March 2010, the funeral of Keith Alexander took place at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral is a historic Anglican cathedral in Lincoln in England and seat of the Bishop of Lincoln in the Church of England. It was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 249 years . The central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt...
, with thousands of people paying their respects. Friends, family and football fans gave a round of applause as his coffin entered and left the church. It was announced that a benefit match for Keith Alexander would take place on 3 May 2010 at Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank
Sincil Bank is a football stadium in Lincoln, England and has been the home of Lincoln City since 1895. Previously, Lincoln City had played at the nearby John O'Gaunts ground since the club's 1884 inception. Sincil Bank has an overall capacity of 10,120 and is colloquially known to fans as "The...
, as a tribute to the ex-Imps chief. Players such as Paul Merson
Paul Merson
Paul Charles Merson is a retired English football player, and former player-manager of Walsall. His playing career has included spells at Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and finishing his playing career at Tamworth. He also played for England 21 times...
, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Jerrel Hasselbaink usually known as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is a Dutch former football striker who played for various clubs in the Netherlands, Portugal, England, and Spain, as well as the Dutch national team. He scored more than 200 career goals...
, and Les Ferdinand
Les Ferdinand
Leslie "Les" Ferdinand MBE is a former English footballer. His playing career included spells at Queens Park Rangers, Besiktas J.K., Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers F.C., during which period he earned a number of appearances for England...
took part in the match, with over a 1,000 tickets being sold. In October 2010, Alexander was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Black List celebratory evening at Wembley
Wembley
Wembley is an area of northwest London, England, and part of the London Borough of Brent. It is home to the famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena...
, highlighting the influence of African Caribbean
British African-Caribbean community
The British African Caribbean communities are residents of the United Kingdom who are of West Indian background and whose ancestors were primarily indigenous to Africa...
figures in British football
Football in the United Kingdom
Football in the United Kingdom is organised on a separate basis in each of the four countries of the United Kingdom, with each having a national football association responsible for the overall management of football within their respective country. There is no United Kingdom national football team...
. 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."
Managerial statistics
| Team | Country | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Lincoln City Lincoln City F.C. Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League.... |
1 August 1993 | 16 May 1994 |
||||||
| Lincoln City Lincoln City F.C. Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League.... |
5 May 2002 | 24 May 2006 |
||||||
| Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
30 May 2006 | 15 January 2007 |
||||||
| Macclesfield Town Macclesfield Town F.C. Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium... |
27 February 2008 | 3 March 2010 |
||||||
| Total |
||||||||
External links
- Tribute to Keith Alexander Online obituary at Lasting Tribute