One of the most emotional, yet prestigious, evenings in the Club's 125-year long history will take place on Friday as we celebrate the life of Keith Alexander and welcome the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy to Sincil Bank Stadium at our home game against Hereford United.

The footballing world was left stunned last week with the news that Keith, who led the Imps to four successive play-off appearances, had passed away at the age of 53 and Chairman Steff Wright says that Friday night's game, which will see the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy on show as part of the worldwide Coca-Cola Trophy Tour, will be an memorable occasion.

"People at the Football Club have been working very hard towards Friday night and it's going to be an evening of mixed emotions with the glitz of bringing the World Cup to Lincoln, which is a massive coup for the city and for the Club, mixed in with an important football match and the first time the fans have really had the chance to get together and reflect on Keith's life," said Steff.

"It's going to be a great night for the Club in a lot of ways and if Keith was still here he would be excited. Keith's main passion in life was football and he'd like to see three points on the board, a full stadium and Lincoln City at the centre of attention. That's what will happen on Friday night."

As part of the evening's programme of events a giant screen will be installed in the corner of the Stacey West Stand and the Echo Stand and during the course of the pre-match build-up, some memorable moments from Keith's career with the Imps will be broadcast.

"The message we're getting from Keith's family is that it is about looking back and reflecting back on what a wonderful life Keith had," added Steff.

"The joy, excitement and enthusiasm he gave to the city and to everybody he came into contact with means it's time to look back on that and celebrate his life. Images and memories of Keith will be shown on a massive screen and before kick-off supporters will get the chance to give him a rousing round of applause after a verse of 'Abide With Me'".

The following day, attention will switch to Macclesfield Town's home game against Bury being 'Keith Alexander Day' and supporters who have been touched by the presence of Keith are invited along to the Moss Rose to pay tribute to him whilst at 2.00pm on Monday, Keith's funeral will take place at Lincoln Cathedral.

"Keith's passion was with all the clubs he was associated with," concluded Steff.

"Macclesfield have invited fans from all clubs that Keith had contact with to go to their game on Saturday. I'll be there with others from Lincoln City to take part in a special wreath-laying ceremony and fans are more than welcome to go to the game as well.

"Then, on Monday, I'm sure there'll be a lot of people with very heavy hearts who will want to go and pay their last respects to Keith.

"There are 1,500 chairs laid out in the Cathedral and there's plenty of additional standing space in there as well so people are invited to go and pay their respects. That's what the family want to happen.

"Very, very few funerals take place within the main body of the Cathedral and I think it's justifiably correct that Keith's funeral should be held there."