Defender Gareth McAuley has paid tribute to his former Lincoln City manager Keith Alexander, who died on Wednesday aged 53. The Northern Irishman played under Alexander at Sincil Bank between 2004 and 2006.

McAuley told the club site: "It took a while for the news about Keith to sink in.I was shocked.

"I watched the goal from Keith's team Macclesfield’s game against Notts County before I left for training and then I was sitting in the canteen area watching Sky Sports and it came up with the breaking news about him. I didn't take it in at first.

"It's desperately sad news. He was a good football man but more importantly, he was a really nice guy. He made you feel so comfortable and he was very approachable. Even when he had you in his office over something, you'd come out laughing.

"He gave me my breakthrough in football at Lincoln. He played in Ireland himself for Cliftonville at the end of his career and when he moved into management, he kept in touch with the scene over there.

"He brought me across to Lincoln and took me on, gave me a chance in the game. He helped me so much in those early days especially. He was a massive help to be honest. He made it easy for me to settle in, his door was always open if you wanted a chat or any advice, on or off the pitch and he did a great job there as well.

"We stayed in touch over the years after I left Lincoln and I count him as a friend as well as my old gaffer.

"I knew he had the aneurysms a few years back at Lincoln but I've spoken to players and staff who were at Lincoln when I was there and are now at Macclesfield and they are shocked by what's happened.

"He will be missed by a lot of people. He was a terrific guy and I want to send my deepest sympathies to his family."

Photo: Action Images

sonian_blue added 13:17 - Mar 4 He played and managed at the lower levels, always on a shoestring but when I heard him talk about the game he came acroiss as one of the good guys and those the game needs. A proper footy man. RIP
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JayITFC added 13:35 - Mar 4 Awful news. Very sad.
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WREXHAM_BLUE added 13:43 - Mar 4 Very sad news; he'd done well to recover from illness a few seasons ago and was highly respected within the game. RIP.
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debenhamsteve added 14:07 - Mar 4 I emailed a friend who is a Macclesfield supporter to offer my sympathy. He replied by saying what a super bloke he was and he only managed to talk to him once and that was last Saturday three days before he died.
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ChambersM added 14:42 - Mar 4 RIP
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Lightningboy added 15:04 - Mar 4 Rip..good manager..good man.
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sirbenofmorlingshire added 15:25 - Mar 4 Always sad news, hope he is remembered for what he achieved in the game and has opened the door for many others to follow.
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devontractorboy added 15:35 - Mar 4 A proper 'Gent' liked by all who knew him RIP.
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Mungo added 18:46 - Mar 4 Very sad news. A genuinely nice man and a talented manager. RIP
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ameron added 21:37 - Mar 4 My son plays in a team here in Chesterfield with Keith's nephew. Both were devastated by the news. RIP Keith, yo will never be forgotten.
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SurreyITFC added 08:45 - Mar 5 RIP Keith. A true gentleman
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