Words John Edwards

Altrincham FC's Business Club are rightly proud of the calibre of speakers who have adorned our monthly gatherings, and it's safe to say there will be no drop in standards when members convene again towards the end of February.

An informative address by a handpicked guest has always proved the highlight of our ever-popular breakfast meetings, and members may care to make a note in their diaries that the star name lined up for the last Friday in February is none other than former Manchester City goalkeeper and champion of their community set-up Alex Williams MBE.

It's a feather in the Business Club's cap that Alex has agreed to attend The John King Lounge at The J.Davidson Stadium on Friday February 28th to share memories of his time as a firm favourite between the posts for his home club and how he went on to become a pioneering presence off the pitch for young people in the Manchester area.

What a story he has to tell about both phases of a life he admits has been inextricably linked with a club who, when he joined them in May 1978, were based exactly 400 yards away from where he was born in Moss Side (main picture).

A true blue, he admits he was "like a kid in a sweet shop" when, after being scouted by City coach and former keeper Steve Fleet at the age of 14, he found himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of boyhood idol Joe Corrigan within the corridors of Maine Road.

*Proud moment - Alex presents the Premier League trophy to Ilkay Gundogan.

He became the first black goalkeeper to play in the old First Division when he made his City debut in 1980, though his immense pride at such a trailblazing milestone was tempered by instances of racist abuse that were all too common at the time.

Typical of his strength of character, he remained undaunted and went on to exceed 100 appearances for City before a persistent back injury took its toll and, after a brief spell at Port Vale, forced him into early retirement two months short of his 26th birthday.

Far from feeling sorry for himself, given the reputation he was building as a keeper with remarkable shot-stopping abilities, Alex appeared to be set for a new career in coaching after learning the ropes with his customary enthusiasm and duly obtaining his FA badges.

*Safe hands - Alex holds on, despite the derby day attentions of United's Graeme Hogg and Paul McGrath.

Instead, he decided it was time to give something back to his home surroundings, as he took on the role of executive manager of City In The Community and made such an immediate impact that he was awarded the MBE for services to young people in the 2002 New Year's honours list.

As another indication of how he helped transform CITC into one of the country's most successful football charities, he oversaw a rise in employee numbers from an initial six to over 120.

Further recognition of his dedication to helping others came in November 2023 when he was presented with the Maurice Watkins CBE Lifetime Contribution Award at the North West Football Awards.

*Read all about it - Alex's autobiography, officially endorsed by Pep Guardiola.

Unsurprisingly, he concluded there was plenty of scope for committing his experiences to print, and, with the assistance of journalist and broadcaster Andy Buckley, he penned an autobiography entitled You Saw Me Standing Alone, complete with a foreword by City boss Pep Guardiola.

There will be so much more detail from Alex when he takes the floor at our next get-together and delivers an address that is sure to go down every bit as well as the appetising, flavoursome hot breakfast that is always laid on by our resident chef.

There is also the opportunity to network with other members, so make a note of the time, date and venue - 8.30am start on Friday February 28th, in the plush surroundings of The John King Lounge at The J.Davidson Stadium.