Football mourns the loss of Keith Alexander
Today at the Wembley friendly, England and Egypt both wore black armbands in honor for Keith Alexander, Macclesfield manager, who died on Tuesday at the age of 53.
“He was a larger than life character — an honest man, a splendid man and he will be missed by people in all walks of life,” assistant manager Gary Simpson said.
Alexander had brain surgery seven years ago and recently had taken several days off. He collapsed at his home and later died, although the cause of death has not been revealed.
He was involved in football for more than 35 years, first as a player with Grimsby Town, Stockport County and Mansfield Town along with many non-League clubs and played international football for St Lucia.
He then became the first black manager in the Football League when he took over at Lincoln City in 1993 before spells at Peterborough and then Macclesfield.
His 100th game was coming up next Saturday, Hereford United with the Cheshire club.
There was no apparent problems last night on the way back to Lincoln. Macclesfield midfielder Richard Butcher rode back to Lincoln with Alexander and told Sky Sports News: “He dropped me back at my car at about 11pm last night and he was fine.
“We were chatting and laughing, and I’ve been spending a lot of time travelling with the gaffer recently because we both live in Lincoln.
“For me, I’ve lost not just a manager but a friend. I’m absolutely devastated because he was a top bloke.”