Albert Alexander Sr.

Early life and career

Born in Hulme, Alexander was one of four sons involved in the coach proprietorship business. He lived in Ardwick from 1871 to at least the 1920s, having married a storekeeper's daughter, Evelyn Bridge, in St Matthew's there in June 1891.

Football

Alexander's connections with Manchester City go back to at least 1904. That year Manchester City reached the FA Cup final for the first time. The club directors hired a horse-drawn carriage to make the journey to London, with Alexander as the driver. By the 1920s, Alexander was the club's vice-chairman, and had also formed and coached the "A" team, the club's first youth development side.

In 1925 manager David Ashworth resigned. Unable to find a suitable replacement, the directors selected the team by committee. Alexander led the panel with assistance from figures including Lawrence Furniss and Wilf Wild. Under the Alexander-led committee the club achieved a record 6–1 Manchester derby win, and reached the 1926 FA Cup Final, though City were defeated 1–0 by Bolton Wanderers. On 26 April 1926, Peter Hodge was appointed manager, and Alexander's period in charge came to an end.

Local politics

Alexander's first venture into politics took place in November 1913 when he unsuccessfully stood in St. Luke's ward for the Conservative Party at the Manchester City Council elections. In September 1918, he was appointed to fill a vacancy in Ardwick ward caused by the death of Councillor Dr. Kingsmill Jones. Alexander was re-elected in 1920, and again in 1923, but lost his seat to J. M. Wharton of the Labour Party in 1926. A further defeat at a by-election in Moss Side East ward marked the end of Alexander's municipal career.

Albert Alexander was not the only figure associated with Manchester City F.C. to become involved with local politics in Manchester. Stephen Chesters Thompson, who was honorary president of Ardwick A.F.C. in the 1890s, was also a Conservative councillor in Ardwick; John Allison, who was briefly chairman of Manchester City F.C. in 1905, was a Liberal councillor in St. Mark's ward between 1902 and 1916; Johnny McMahon, who won the F.A. Cup with Manchester City F.C. in 1904, was a Conservative councillor in All Saints' ward ftom 1931 until his death in 1933; Chris Muir, who was a director of the club, was a Labour councillor in Baguley ward from 1971 until 1975 and later contested elections for the Liberal Democrats.

Personal life

Alexander's son, Albert Victor, was Manchester City chairman in the 1960s, and through Albert Jr. and his son Eric the Alexander family had a presence on the club board until 1972.

References

References

1. James, Gary. (2006). "Manchester City – The Complete Record". Breedon.
2. James, p241
3. ''MUNICIPAL POLLS'', Manchester Courier, 3 November 1913, p.7
4. ''CAPTAIN JONES, D.S.O.'', Manchester Evening News, 9 August 1918, p.2
5. ''NEW CITY COUNCILLOR'', Manchester Evening News, 4 September 1918, p.2
6. ''CONSERVATIVES GAIN FOUR SEATS AND LOSE TWO'', Manchester Guardian, 2 November 1920, p.7
7. ''NET GAIN TO LABOUR IN MANCHESTER'', Manchester Guardian, 2 November 1923, p.14
8. ''THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION RESULTS'', Manchester Guardian, 2 November 1926, p.12
9. ''MUNICIPAL BY-ELECTION'', Manchester Guardian, 30 November 1927, p.13
10. (6 February 2023). "True Blues – John Allison".
11. ''"JOHNNY" McMAHON'', Manchester Evening News, 11 September 1933, p.9
12. "Board and Shareholding timeline". Purely Man City.