While he was not the Football League’s first permanent Black manager—Tony Collins had taken charge of Rochdale in 1960—Alexander encouraged a new generation to follow a similar path through his managerial work at clubs including Lincoln City, Peterborough United and Macclesfield.
Alexander was born in Nottingham in 1956 to parents from St Lucia. According to his sons, Matt and Paul, he took great pride in both his English upbringing and Caribbean roots.
He spoke candidly about the racist abuse he faced during his playing career, including monkey noises from the crowd and bananas being thrown in his direction.
“He dealt with a great deal of it, particularly at the beginning of his career,” Matt says. “Racist abuse was widespread, including people throwing bananas and similar behaviour.
“I would be very surprised to find a Black footballer from that era who had not endured comparable treatment.”
Even so, Paul says the subject of race seldom came up in family conversations.
“We never really discussed the challenges that young Black people could face while growing up.
“Instead, the message was that hard work and determination would help you succeed in whatever you chose to pursue.”
However, he adds: “I believe he understood that he needed to put in twice as much effort.”
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