Crawley Town boss Steve Evans and his assistant Paul Raynor have had a very mixed week as they prepare their team to take on high-flyers Stevenage Borough at Broadhall Way on Saturday.
Evans and Raynor have led their team to a superb run of form since early December. With a home win over Luton Town and a point earned away at Salisbury City you would have thought the manager and his assistant would be on top of the world.
However on Wednesday morning Evans and Raynor lost a good friend to them when Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander passed away after returning home from managing his team at Notts County the previous evening.
Steve said; “The win over Luton Town was fantastic, that is the only word I can use to describe that. On the back of Luton Town we travelled to Salisbury City and passed them off the park but in the end we had to settle for a point. On the way home from Salisbury Paul and myself were catching up with all the results and thinking that we have had a good week, we were about to learn otherwise.
“On Wednesday morning I received a call to tell me that Keith had died, to say I was in shock was a huge understatement. He was a true friend to me and I knew he thought the same of me, it puts football a distant second when something like this happens.
“As a manager and a person I learned a lot from him and took his counsel a number of times. I gave him an opinion when he came asking and he would often say; Steve you will tell me the truth, not just what I want to hear mate and I would then listen intently to his words.
“Last night I admit I cried as I deleted his mobile number from my phone; I will miss the big man ringing me, that I do know.
“He loved his family first and foremost, he also loved his football. Although he was the Macclesfield Town manager with pride, he truly loved Lincoln City Football Club. When he managed the Imps we were local rivals as managers but that did not stop a friendship, in fact, it blossomed then and for many years there after.
“I will miss the big man, football will miss him too. My thoughts and prayers now go to his family, Helen, Matt, Paul, Jack and Jenny.
“Rest in Peace Keith, you have left us all far too soon pal.”
Reds` assistant boss Paul Raynor said: “I had the great pleasure of playing under Keith during a playing stint at Ilkeston Town and he was not only a great manager but also a lovely man.
"He will be sadly missed by all who knew him both in football and away from the game we all love.”
