He shaped my view of the Boro when I was growing up and not old enough to go to the games. So many memories where it's difficult to distinguish whether I was actually at the match or just listening to Ali's commentary.
I can't think of many commentators whose words are etched into so many peoples' memories almost as vividly as the goals themselves. A fantastic advocate of our club and our area, and a brilliantly lovely man above all.
The outpouring of emotion after his death and the show of support at his funeral tells you everything you need to know about the man. A man known by all of those in Teesside, despite so many having never had the pleasure of actually meeting him.
Still sorely missed by Teessiders everywhere, but his rose-tinted view of the club lives on within those who grew up listening to him. RIP Ali.