I am devestated. I only found out today via the club website...............
I first met Keith when I was 6 years old, I fell over by the old snack bar looking for my Dad whom I'd lost and was crying. Keith came out and calmed me down by giving me a warm Hot Vimto and helped me find my Dad. This was the start of a lifelong friendship which has lasted 27 years. The man influenced my life on so many levels its untrue.
I'm addicted to Vimto because that first ever one he gave me was amazing.
We used to go to away matches together, the Spurs game being a memorable one because his Lada broke down three time on the way lol
He used to drive me to Northwich Victoria (Boooo) every Thursday evening for training and to the games on a Sunday when I was in the youth team.
He drove me down to Bristol Rovers for my trial with them.
We started Line Dancing together to help me lose weight when a manager said I was to fat!!! Needless to say I am still fat and he went on to be a hell of a Line Dancer
He spent Christmas Day's with my family after he had cooked for the homeless people in Manchester centre
We went to America on holidays together.
He taught me to drive.
Was at my 18th and 21st birthdays.
I became a chef because his stories about cooking were so funny and through his guidence I went on to work at some of the worlds finest hotels in the world.
He was at my wedding and was there the day after the birth of my first son.
My biggest regret is that over the last few years we were not as close due to me living abroad and down south etc but we always had time for a phone call and a txt. Although we spoke a few times a year the last time I last saw him in person was at the Burton game which was the first time in 7 years and he was dishing out the sweets to fans like he always did.
Only last week we were speaking of Duncan going to Sunderland and the last txt I got of him was "David Moyes sed it was hard to leave everton!!! because his car was on effing bricks"
Keith was old school, a true gentleman, funny, kind hearted who would do anything for anyone and would ask nothing in return.
His commitment to Altrincham FC is second to none having done everything from clean the toilets to Kitman. He is in my eyes a true "Altrincham Legend"
I am honoured to have known him and to be part of his life and will miss him more than I can say.
The world is a worse place without him.
RIP Keith, Give Jackie Swindells a high five from me,
Love you mate