To celebrate Black History Month 2025, we took a look back through our photo archives to commemorate Peterborough United’s first black Manager, Keith Alexander.
Keith Alexander was appointed Manager of Peterborough United Football Club on 30th May 2006, becoming the first black Manager of the club. He was unveiled to the media at London Road, signing the contract before conducting various interviews. Owner at the time, Barry Fry, recalls his appointment; “When I became owner of this football club, I didn't have any money to spend on player transfers, so I thought, who is the best person to get gems out of non-league football and get the best out of them and the players we already had".
“Keith Alexander had been a manager, he'd already proved it, in particular at Lincoln City where he'd done a brilliant job. So I thought he was the best man for the job because I couldn’t give him any money to spend, but he gets out and about, sees a lot of games and can bring out the best in people. He's not afraid to have a go and bring in players from lower down and that's what I needed at that time. He was the best manager for the job,” Fry said.
“When I was Manager of Barnet, I signed Keith as a player. Keith had an enormous presence, he always had something to say in the dressing room. He was a leader both on and off the field, with the other players. Which as a Manager, is so invaluable to have. He was always going to get into coaching,” Fry recalled.
Writing in his programmes notes ahead of the season opener against Bury, Keith Alexander wrote “I would like to start by saying how pleased I am to have joined Peterborough United and I look forward to playing a part in turning this club’s fortunes around and I’m really looking forward to get started.”
His tenure at Posh started in fine fashion. Defeating Bury 4-1 at London Road on the opening weekend before masterminding a League Cup upset over higher-division Ipswich Town, where Posh were to eventually win in a penalty shoot-out.
Speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph after the thrilling win over the Tractor Boys, Alexander said; “I couldn’t be more pleased and proud of the players. They were excellent. We’ve got something good going on here. The spirit in the side shone through and that makes me so proud as a Manager.” Keith was always someone that would heap the praise on his players first.
Following the arrival of new Chairman Darragh MacAnthony in September 2006, Keith Alexander would go on to keep Posh in and around the top end of the table going into the New Year, before eventually leaving the club after a run of some poor results.
The club will always be thankful for Keith’s impact during his time at the club, which also included the notable signings of George Boyd, Craig Mackail-Smith and Aaron Mclean, who would all go on to become Posh legends and enjoy careers higher up the footballing ladder.
“People forget that it was Keith who signed Boydy, Craig and Aaron. All, at that time, from lower leagues. With the backing of Darragh MacAnthony and Keith’s impact, we were able to sign them. They all went on to player higher up and the club made a lot of money from them,” Fry added.
Senior Professional Development Phase Coach Ryan Semple was part of the Posh squad when Keith Alexander became Manager and admits he had nothing but respect and admiration for Keith.
“He was a real warm character, who had real respect for people. He had an awe about him. He had a presence that made you know he was the boss and he came into the club at a stage where the club was going through a bit of a transitional period. He was someone that I had a huge, huge amount of respect for, beforehand, during the time I worked with him and then afterwards once he’d left the club. He is someone that is a great inspiration for me, obviously myself now being a coach, his legacy, clearly, is one that lives on,” Semple said.
Not only was Keith devoted to football but he also provided so much to charity work, especially in Saint Lucia.
Alexander was involved, with other members of his family, in setting up the Sacred Sports Foundation, a charity based in Saint Lucia which aims to provide quality sporting opportunities for young people whilst also promoting vital development skills.
Keith sadly passed away at the age of 53 in March 2010 after returning home from a match he was managing for Macclesfield Town. He was later honoured with a lifetime achievement at the Football Black List awards, which highlights the influence of African Caribbean figures in British football, recognising Keith’s significant contribution to football and the exceptional role model he was.
