Why Keith Alexander's legacy must be the end of racism on the boardroom

By David McDonnell

Published 10:29 04/03/10

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It is to football's eternal shame that the late Keith Alexander was never given the chance to manage at a higher level.

According to those who knew him well, Alexander, the former Macclesfield boss who died suddenly at the age of 53, always felt the colour of his skin was a barrier to him being offered a job at a bigger club.

He led Lincoln to four consecutive promotion play-off appearances between 2002 and 2006 and his death leaves MK Dons boss Paul Ince as the only black manager in English football.

That statistic is scandalous for a sport that has rightly put so much money and time into eradicating racism, yet still can only boast one black manager among 92 clubs.

Many bosses who achieved less than Alexander were given a chance to manage at a higher level, leading to the obvious conclusion that prejuduce was a key factor in his lack of opportunities higher up football's ladder.

A champion of civil rights and equality issues, Alexander was also active in the Black Coaches Association, and spoke regularly at forums organised by Kick It Out, football's equality and inclusion campaign.

It is to be hoped his proud legacy will live on and that his untimely death will serve as a reminder to football's hierarchy that the fight against racism is not confined to the pitch or the terraces, but includes the boardroom too.

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