Keith Alexander (footballer) - Death

Death

Alexander, who suffered a brain aneurysm 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."