Terry Pierce - Football lost a role model in Keith Alexander

Published: 08 Mar 2010 - 13:05:43

Click To Enlarge

I woke up Wednesday morning to the news that Macclesfield Town boss Keith Alexander had passed away and although he never managed my side or really affected my footballing experiences, it knocked the stuffing out of me.

Watching the tributes come in from the Town players and from figures across the Football League, it was clear that he was well respected within the game.

But, more importantly, he was a friend to the young men he coached on a day-to-day basis, and as the first full-time black manager in the league, he was the perfect role model.

Paul Ince and Leroy Rosenior have both been very vocal in their tributes for Keith, and I only hope that his legacy continues and we see more and more black managers in the Football League.

The players at Macclesfield spoke so fondly of their gaffer, and did him proud with their first win this year at Hereford on Saturday, and you could see the raw emotion flowing through the players as the celebrated their goals and the victory.

Alexander had battled serious illness for a long time, but still worked tirelessly to do the best for the club he worked for and their small group of loyal fans, whether it was taking Lincoln to the play-offs again and again, or managing to keep the Silkmen in the Football League year after year.

Outside the glitz and glamour of the top flight and the Champions League, there are plenty of bosses like Alexander who have a thankless task running unfashionable clubs on small budgets, it's just a shame it takes a tragedy like this for them to get the respect and recognition they deserve.

Proud Peacock To Lead Gutsy Grimsby's Fight

In other news, Grimsby Town ended a 25-game winless run with a superb 3-0 win over play-off chasing Shrewsbury on Saturday.

I've seen some torrid football and some terrible sides as a Swindon fan, but can't imagine how the Grimsby fans would have been feeling, travelling to games and spending their hard-earned cash for six months and not seeing a win.

Ex-Swindon striker and all-round nice guy Lee Peacock has received rave reviews and the captain's armband since arriving in January and although they're still clearly in trouble, this win could kick-start their fight for survival and I'll be backing them all the way.

READ TERRY PIERCE EXCLUSIVELY AT FOOTBALL.CO.UK EVERY MONDAY