Marriott sings his praises against "Big Keef"

Alan Marriott, former first choice goalkeeper under Keith Alexander, has joined the growing list of people in the game to pay tribute to the man known as "Big Keef". Marriott was one of the best players during Keith's four years at the club, and he has said he is devasted as the loss of one of football's gentleman.

Marriott was one of the few who had remained at the club from the year before when Keith Alexander was promoted to manager in 2002. With only Paul Pettinger, Darren Horrigan and Simon Raynor at the club during the same time period, Marriott was inevitably going to be a near ever-present, missing a mere handful of games under Alexander.

Marriott stayed at Sincil Bank for two years after Keith left before being released by Peter Jackson. He has since played for Rushden and now represents Mansfield Town.

"I am absolutely devastated. It is like losing a member of my family. He was a friend as well as a former manager and someone who I kept in touch with. There are a lot of cliches used when people die, but I truly mean this when I say he was one of the nicest, most genuine and honest people I have ever met in my life and in football," Marriott told Mansfield Town's website.

The goalkeeper became what was known as "Team Lincoln" and the team spirit was described as being second to none. Everyone pulled pranks on each other and had a laugh, Marriott recalls these times as well.

"I have a million memories of Keith Alexander, but one that comes straight to mind is when we were playing away at Torquay. The staff and Keith went out for a drink the night before the game and he had nothing to wear but his tracksuit. He had to borrow a pair of shoes from the waiter in the hotel but still went out with a big smile on his face. He wasn't bothered by petty or material things."