“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 (Thursday) 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.
