Macclesfield manager Keith Alexander dies

[VeronaSeagull]

Aged 53....

very sad, no other details at present

Macclesfield Town | News | Latest | Latest | Keith Alexander passes away

 

[SurreySeagulls]

Very sad. He fought back from near death not so long ago so would imagine a relapse of some sort.

RIP Keith

 

[beardy gull]

Some kind of brain business IIRC?
Michael Foot gone too.

 

[Jesus Gul]

Rip ka

 

[Withnail]

Very sad. Used to see him in around town when he was at Lincoln. Top fella.

 

[KneeOn]

Thats too young an age for any man to die at.

 

[Geriatric Seagull]

Very sad

Refereed him a couple of times many years ago - always played hard but fair. There aren't enough genuine blokes like him in football.

 

[eastlondonseagull]

Very sad. RIP Keith

 

[Hotchilidog]

Very sad day indeed. I remember when he was a popular player at Barnet. RIP Keith

 

[Mr Blobby]

Sad news

This is the full story from the BBC site

Macclesfield Town have announced that manager Keith Alexander has died at the age of 53.

Alexander, who suffered a brain aneurysm in November 2003, passed away after arriving home last night from the League Two match at Notts County.

He had recently returned to work after taking time out because of illness.

"Keith was a splendid man. He will be sorely missed at the Moss Rose and by everyone involved in football," read a club statement.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this very difficult time."

Alexander played as a striker for Barnet, Grimsby, Stockport, Lincoln and Mansfield and took over as Lincoln manager for the first time in 1993.

After spells with Ilkeston and Northwich, he returned to Sincil Bank in 2002, leading the club to four successive League two play-off campaigns - the only manager to achieve that feat.

In November 2003 he collapsed with a double aneurysm, revealing afterwards that he had to be brought back to life three times.

Alexander left Lincoln by mutual consent shortly after the defeat to Grimsby in 2006 and moved to Peterborough, but left in January 2007 after a disappointing run of results.

He took the position of director of football at Bury before being appointed Macclesfield manager in February 2008, agreeing a two-year contract extension in the January of this year.

Macclesfield chairman Mike Rance led the tributes to Alexander, saying: "We're all absolutely devastated.

"I spoke to Keith last night at about 11.15pm after our game at Notts County and he was in good spirits because, although we lost, we had given a team chasing promotion a good game.

"We were chatting about an FA hearing after he had a row with a referee at Bournemouth, which just shows how passionate he was about the game.

"It was perhaps fitting that the last conversation we had was about football

"He went home after the game last night and collapsed. Tragically, he never recovered.

"Keith was the perfect manager for a club like ours. He was totally pragmatic about managing in League Two and the constraints involved.

"He was a splendid man, a real gentleman and an absolute privilege to work with. He was strong, sensible, commanded respect throughout the game and was unique in many ways."

"You won't find a more dedicated man at any club, he always gave 150%. I feel so sad for his family

Peterborough director of sport Barry Fry
Macclesfield are set to play Hereford on Saturday but that match may now not go ahead, with Rance stating that he has already spoken to Hereford boss Graham Turner.

"Graham also knew Keith very well and the decision as to whether Saturday's game goes ahead will be taken by Keith's family shortly," added Rance.

"I know what Keith would have wanted, but it will be his family's decision."

Lincoln chairman Steff Wright added: "Over and above being the absolute professional in everything he did, Keith was one of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet.

"It goes without saying that our thoughts are with Helen and the family at this extremely difficult time."

Peterborough director of sport Barry Fry, who worked with Alexander when he was a player at Barnet and also at London Road when he was a manager, added: "I really can't believe it. I'd been worried lately about his health but he assured me he was fine.

"He recently had a bout of hiccups that he couldn't get rid of and he went into hospital for that, but he wasn't feeling ill when I spoke to him last, he was bubbly.

"He'd had a few days off but he couldn't wait to get back on the training pitch.

"You won't find a more dedicated man at any club, he always gave 150%. I feel so sad for his family."

 

[auschr]

 

[torchieboy]

gutted, topbloke,just spoke to my lincoln city mates who loved the bloke,

Big keith R.I.P

 

[Black Country Seagull]

Always sad when one so young passes by, may Kieth Alexander and his family find peace

 

[glasfryn]

unsung hero
RIP Keith

 

[Box of Frogs]

RIP

One of football's nice guys, by all accounts.

 

[DerbyGull]

Very sad. I was at that game yesterday (notts v macc) and he was fine supposedly.

 

[Dave the OAP]

Thats too young an age for any man to die at.

a year older than my Dad..

very sad indeed

 

[thealbionfan]

Just wanted to say how sad this news is...thoughts to his family and friends.

What a difference to the thread the other day.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

53 is far too young. Nice bloke by all accounts. There is no logic to the date of someones death based on how the conduct themselves in life. Its all random. RIP.

 

[Leekbrookgull]

I just feel,Keith died doing what he wanted to do,after his VERY SEIROUS illness (i which he knew it what a question of time ?) Lets be honest we would all rather go that way,than being feed in a nursing home.