The FA's Director of Football Development pays his respects to Keith Alexander.
Keith Alexander's funeral took place at Lincoln Cathedral at 2pm this afternoon, allowing football to pay its respects to the former Lincoln City and Macclesfield Town manager, who sadly passed away on Wednesday 3 March.
The FA's Director of Football Development, Sir Trevor Brooking, paid his own tribute to Alexander.
"The first thing to say is that Keith was a truly genuine and decent individual," said Brooking. "Anyone who was fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him would say that of him.
"He worked hard, and applied himself to coaching and deserved all the success that came his way.
"From an FA perspective he was a trailblazer as a black coach working in football. He worked at a number of different clubs and his reputation in coaching was built on his ability and his determination to educate himself and improve.
"Keith was a shining light for other black players and aspiring coaches, he showed just what could be achieved in the game. Even with the time consuming nature of management, he would also devote his time to inspiring others to become coaches. This was very important for the game.
"His personality, his character and his commitment were incredible and it is such a sad loss.
"Hopefully in years to come we will see more and more black coaches in football, and one of the legacies that Keith will leave is that he was at the heart of that movement.
"He was there at the start, knocking on the doors and showing that he could deliver.
"More than anything we have lost a great character far too early in his life and career. He was a role model to so many and our thoughts are very much with his family at this time."
