Thanks and Farewell

It was a dark day for many Boro fans on Sunday, as the club announced an exclusive commentary deal with BBC Radio Cleveland for next season.

On the face of it, this doesn't appear to be a bad thing. However, for many Boro fans, it is a crushing blow. Many fans have enjoyed 12 years of award winning commentary from Century FM's Alastair Brownlee and 'living Boro legend' Bernie Slaven.

I, for one, will feel almost traitorous turning over the dial from 100.7 FM to 95FM and will certainly be begrudged to listen to, in my opinion, commentary that simply cannot match up to the raw emotion, enthusiasm, humor and support of Ali and Bernie from Century, after all "No one loves The BORO, as much as we do" will always be an Ali Brownlee catchphrase that I'll remember. That and "Everyone round to my house for a Parmo!", an invitation sparked by sheer jubilation and excitement as Boro came back from the dead against Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Cup Semi-final second leg, taking the club to the final in Eindhoven.

Last year, Ali and Bernie won the Gold Award for 'Best Sports Coverage' at the New York Radio Festival Awards for their dramatic, emotional and down right hilarious Century commentary of Boro's superb run up to the UEFA Cup Final in Eindhoven.

Ali Brownlee gets typically excited as Boro make the first of two amazing comebacks in the UEFA Cup. This one is against Basle at the Riverside Stadium



Ali & Bernie's site