Keith Alexander remembered for helping open doors for black football managers

As part of Black History Month on 5 October 2026, former players, colleagues and campaigners reflected on Keith Alexander's role in helping open doors for black managers in English professional football. Alexander, who managed Lincoln City, Peterborough United and Macclesfield, was cited by figures including Leon Mann and former players for his influence.

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. He spoke openly about the racism he encountered as a player, including monkey chants and bananas being thrown at him; Matt said, "He experienced loads of it, especially in his early days," and added, "There was loads of racism and throwing bananas, that kind of stuff." Paul said, "It was never a conversation about how difficult it was for black youths growing up," and added, "It was, you will be successful at what you do and you work hard for what you want." He also said, "I think he was conscious he did have to work twice as hard."

Alexander took charge of Lincoln City in 1993 before managing non-league Ilkeston Town and Northwich Victoria. He returned to Lincoln in 2002 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 Lincoln striker Franny Green credited Alexander with "bringing players from non-league and giving them an opportunity" and said, "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." Recalling their first meeting at a trial for Ilkeston, Green said: "I was 16, this tall slim kid with a mini afro and he was just really charming towards me." Green added that Alexander told him to "just go and play football – there's no pressure."

Simon Weaver, who joined Lincoln City in the summer of 2002 after previously playing under Alexander at Ilkeston, recalled his former boss's ability to unite a dressing room. Weaver remembered turning up for a training session and finding Alexander "sat there with his feet up and a bunch of grapes." He said, "He was just so relaxed," and recalled Alexander telling him to "just come and do you what you did [in training]." Weaver added: "We played away first game and won – I got a black eye and I'm thinking, 'I'm liking this, this is my cup of tea'."

Alexander was managing Macclesfield when he died in 2010; he was 53. Tributes poured in from across football, with clubs observing a minute's silence and England players wearing black armbands at Wembley following his death. At the time his son Paul described him as "a very humble man", adding: "He didn't realise the impact he had on others just by walking into a room." CORRECTION, 5 October 2026: An earlier version of this article suggested Alexander died after falling ill at a game. He actually fell ill at home after the game.

Leon Mann, a co-founder of the Football Black List, said: "Keith remains a beacon of hope for us all, and I know his story continues to inspire us," and added, "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." The Football Black List gives out a Keith Alexander Award in his memory; recent recipients have included Yaya Toure, Shaka Hislop and Kerry Davis, the first black woman to play for the England women's national team. Alexander's legacy also lives on through the Sacred Sports Foundation, which he founded in St Lucia to help young people through sport.

Matt and Paul Alexander say their father's caring nature meant he got the best out of players. Their recollections form part of the reflections taking place during Black History Month.