Middlesbrough FC Chairman Steve Gibson today issued the following statement following the passing of BBC Tees presenter Alastair Brownlee:
Middlesbrough Football Club has lost a true friend.
Alastair Brownlee was a man whose enthusiasm, passion and commitment were evident in everything he did, not just behind a microphone.
All Boro fans know about Ali and his legendary commentaries over three decades for BBC Tees, Century FM and Boro TV. But there was so much more to him than that.
His tireless charity work for people in the Teesside community he was so proud to represent was the mark of the man we all knew and loved.
Alastair would do anything for anybody and as a skilled commentator he always had the right words to match the occasion. His talents were highly valued by his friends at Middlesbrough Football Club and we knew we could always rely on his wonderful professionalism.
He was more than a supporter. He loved the club and we loved him.
Alastair was a warm-hearted man whose passion for our club was deeply appreciated by our supporters. He was an institution.
Steve Gibson
Chairman
Middlesbrough Football Club