When Keith Alexander died in 2010, he was honoured up and down the country, including on one of football's biggest stages as England players donned black armbands for a match at Wembley. It was a fitting tribute to a man who was not only an admired and respected figure in the game, but a trailblazer who helped pave the way for more black managers in English professional football. As part of Black History Month, those who knew him best have been reflecting on his lasting impact.
"Keith remains a beacon of hope for us all, and I know his story continues to inspire us," says Leon Mann, a co-founder of the Football Black List, external, which gives out an award in his memory. "When we see a number of black British or black managers in the Premier League, we should pause and remember Keith's contribution, because it would have played its part, one hundred per cent." Although he was not the first permanent black manager in the Football League – Tony Collins took the reins at Rochdale in 1960 – Alexander helped inspire a new generation to follow in his footsteps after spells in charge of Lincoln City, Peterborough United and Macclesfield, among others. Born in Nottingham in 1956 to St Lucian parents, Alexander was proud of his English upbringing and Caribbean heritage, his sons Matt and Paul say.
Alexander spoke openly about the racism he encountered as a player, which included monkey chants and bananas being thrown at him. "He experienced loads of it, especially in his early days," Matt says. "There was loads of racism and throwing bananas, that kind of stuff.
"I'd be really surprised if you spoke to any black footballer of that generation who hadn't experienced the same sort of thing." Despite this, Paul says race was rarely discussed at home. "It was never a conversation about how difficult it was for black youths growing up. "It was, you will be successful at what you do and you work hard for what you want." However, he adds: "I think he was conscious he did have to work twice as hard." After a long playing career, Alexander took charge of Lincoln City in 1993.
After a season in charge, he went on to manage non-league Ilkeston Town and Northwich Victoria. In 2002, he was named Lincoln boss for a second spell and, working with a tight budget, helped guide the club from the depths of administration to the League Two play-off places in four successive seasons. Former striker Franny Green says Alexander will always be remembered for "bringing players from non-league and giving them an opportunity".
"If you go through Lincoln's history, Keith's name is going to be one of the biggest when it comes to what he did." Green recalls having a real affinity with Alexander. "I think it helped because of my race and Keith's race," he adds. Recalling the first time he met Alexander during a trial at Ilkeston, Green says: "I was 16, this tall slim kid with a mini afro and he was just really charming towards me.
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