By Nathan Jackson
March 3 2010

The news has filtered through that Keith Alexander, former player, assistant manager and two time manager at Sincil Bank, has passed away. Alexander has had well documented health problems in recent years and died on the way back from Macclesfield Town's defeat at Notts County last night.

I've been away from the site for nearly a month and had no intention of returning, but the news of Keith Alexander's death last night has brought me back to pay tribute to a great manager and an even better man.

When Keith took over in 2002, starting his second reign at Sincil Bank, mine and a lot of other fans' hopes were to simply avoid relegation. What followed quite literally brought me to tears as he guided City to one of the club's greatest ever seasons, making the Playoffs despite being relegation favourites. He spent a further three seasons at Sincil Bank, making the Playoffs each time.

I had the chance to meet Alexander on several occasions and you couldn't meet a man in football who was as nice, polite and knowledgable (especially about non-League football) as him. Alexander always had time for the fans of the team and made this club a great place to be a part of at any level. Although he occasionally said things the annoyed other fans, he was a widely respected manager by fans, coaches and most people in football.

When he had his cerebral aneurysm in November 2003, man people from the world of football sent him get well messages, the first of which came from Sir Alex Ferguson. Known as the gentle giant, Alexander returned to work in February 2004, defying doctors, experts and colleagues to return to what he loved doing, and what people loved him doing.

Keith was, and still is, my favourite manager of the Imps since I started going in 1991 and he was an excellent man, one whom has my utmost respect both on and off the field.

We would like to send our condolences on to Keith's family and friends.

RIP KEITH ALEXANDER (NOVEMBER 14TH 1956 - MARCH 3RD 2010)

A GREAT MANAGER. A GREAT MAN. LEGEND!!!!

RIP Keith Alexander, an Imps legend

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 03/03/2010 12:43

theimps.tk
03/03/2010 12:43

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Newporter
03/03/2010 13:01

Thank you Nathan. Very well put. Keith was a big man with a huge heart. I thank him for those wonderful playoff seasons and the joy that they brought me , my family and all supporters.
I saw him just the other week out for a Sunday morning walk with his wife, wearing his Macc hat!
Sympathy to his wife and family

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MancImp
03/03/2010 13:02

Long time reader off the site, Had to register to concur with you Nathan,
The best lincoln manager in a generation, a character and a gentlemen. RIP Big Keith

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cherryexile
03/03/2010 13:19

He brought some wonderful times to the Bank and will leave us all with some wonderful memories.

My condolences to his family.

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grimsbyimp
03/03/2010 13:31

what a hero never forgotten.



rip keith

We all dream of a team of Musselwhites.

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spireimp
03/03/2010 13:36

An excellent article, Nathan, Sincerely written and every word true.

I hope this will bring every Imp out of the woodwork, either to Rochdale on Saturday or Hereford next week, to show their respect and appreciation of a true football gentleman.

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Braindead
03/03/2010 13:45

Just heard about Keith Alexander's death and thought I would pop along to offer my condolences.

He always came across as a likeable chap despite his problems, and he did some good work with Lincoln.

RIP a true football gent from all at Burnley FC

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kev67
03/03/2010 13:45

I'm very sad to hear this terrible news.

RIP Keith and thankyou for the memories you left us with.

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mightyimp1
03/03/2010 14:43

This news has knocked me for six it really has. Came totally out of the blue although we knew he had health issues. This couldn't have happened to a better man. Well respected throughout football and personally the best side I have seen in my lifetime was under him.
RIP KA. Thoughts with his family.

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kimbothemadimp
04/03/2010 20:50

R I P keith , you were a true gent and will be missed by many .

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imp for life
05/03/2010 09:08

Lived just around the corner from me , and when i used to run a youth football team he came and gave us some training sessions in his spare time , and also used to show up on a sunday to watch us play . Realy nice guy and a sad loss .

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StratfordImp
05/03/2010 11:14

Keith - Thank you so much for the memories and for rescuing the club we love almost as much as you loved it...A big hole has appeared from your passing and will never be filled.
We all hoped you would return to the Bank, I have a sneaky feeling you will be there every Saturday.....especially on May 8th v Macc!!

Rest well big man, your were a diamond.

Keith Alexander - LEGEND - Gone but certainly NEVER forgotten.

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