Futcher and Knill pay tribute to Alexander (From The Bolton News)

Futcher and Knill pay tribute to Alexander

6:10am Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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BEN Futcher and Alan Knill have paid emotional tributes to former Bury director of football Keith Alexander.

The 53-year-old Macclesfield manager passed away last week after collapsing at his home, and his sudden death left the world of football shocked.

Futcher, who played under Alexander at Lincoln, Peterborough and Bury, was particularly shaken by the loss of his former boss and revealed the high esteem in which he was held.

“I was shocked by the news,” said Futcher. “It is a tragedy and it has left a lot of people devastated, including myself.

“It is difficult to accept and my thoughts go to his family.

“I have been with Keith a long time, he signed me three times, including bringing me to Bury.

“He wasn’t just a manager to a lot of players, he was a friend as well. He always had time for you and he was genuinely a great guy — and that is something I don’t say loosely.

“He is the only manager in football that I knew that could pull you into his office to say that you are not playing and you still came out with a smile on your face.

“That was the type of guy he was.”

Bury boss Knill was also left saddened by the news and revealed that he regularly seeked advice from his opposite number.

“Keith was the person I turned to if I had a question to ask — and he would give me a really honest answer,” said Knill.

“When I first started in management, I went to a lot of games.

“Keith would be at a lot of those games. Games like North Ferriby v someone — Keith would be there.

“He taught me a lesson that it doesn't matter who you are, you have to go and work, and Keith certainly did that. He knew everything that there was to know, especially about this level.”

Knill added: “You think of Keith Alexander and inevitably direct play gets mentioned.

“He wasn’t like that. I did my pro licence with Keith and he was really good and very technical about things.

“Everybody forgets that Keith, especially now with Macclesfield, was keeping them in the league.

“He leaves behind a good legacy. You don’t see many black people in the dugout. He was a pioneer for black managers and coaches. He will be very much missed.”